Comparison of Computed Tomography Findings of Tuberculosis and Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Infections

Background The treatment of non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections, which are becoming increasingly common, is different and longer than tuberculosis. Correct diagnosis and subtyping are vital for patient management. Purpose To determine the radiological findings of mycobacterial infections, detect differences, and contribute to the most accurate and rapid diagnosis. Materials and methods This retrospective and single-center study included a total of 264 patients diagnosed with mycobacterial lung infections, comprising 152 cases of tuberculosis and 112 cases of non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections. Patient demographics (age and gender), the specific subtypes of non-tuberculous mycobacteria, and detailed computed tomography findings were systematically evaluated. Results Mean age of the patients was 45.84±16.84 (min 14, max 87). More than half of the mycobacteria infections (54.5%) were in the patient group aged 35-65. As the patient's age decreased, the incidence of tuberculosis increased, and as the patient's age increased, the incidence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria infections increased. 85.9% of patients in the 65 age group were infected with non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Male patients were the majority in all mycobacteria infections, but male dominance was especially evident in non-tuberculous mycobacteria infections (p Conclusion It is necessary to know the radiological findings well and to guide clinicians in terms of possible non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection, especially in cases resistant to treatment. Accurate differentiation between tuberculosis and non-tuberculous infections is essential, as it has a direct impact on the treatment algorithm. Multi-center studies with larger patient populations may provide additional contributions to our current knowledge.