DIVERSE RADIOLOGICAL PATTERNS IN ADULT TUBERCULOSIS

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis remains a major public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where delayed diagnosis contributes to ongoing transmission and poor outcomes. Chest radiography continues to serve as a frontline diagnostic tool for pulmonary tuberculosis due to its accessibility and ability to demonstrate a wide spectrum of disease manifestations. However, variability in radiographic appearances, especially in the presence of underlying risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, and substance abuse, may complicate accurate diagnosis and assessment of disease severity.

Objective: To identify and describe the radiological patterns of adult pulmonary tuberculosis in a defined population and to explore their association with underlying conditions, particularly those related to tobacco smoking.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted at Civil Hospital involving adult patients undergoing chest X-ray evaluation for suspected tuberculosis. A total of 103 patients with radiographically confirmed tuberculosis were enrolled using a convenient sampling technique. Imaging was performed using a Toshiba 500 mA X-ray machine with standardized posteroanterior positioning. Demographic data, clinical history, and comorbid conditions were recorded using a structured proforma. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, with descriptive statistics applied to summarize clinical and radiographic variables.

Results: All 103 patients demonstrated radiographic findings consistent with pulmonary tuberculosis. Females constituted 58.3% of the cohort, while males accounted for 41.7%. A family history of tuberculosis was present in 44.7% of patients. Smoking was reported by 34.0%, drug abuse by 29.1%, and diabetes mellitus by 6.8% of participants. Radiographic findings included lung infiltrations in 87.4% of patients, consolidation in 58.3%, pleural effusion in 33.0%, cavitary lesions in 19.4%, and small nodules in 2.9%, reflecting a heterogeneous spectrum of disease severity.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated that adult pulmonary tuberculosis presents with diverse radiographic patterns frequently accompanied by modifiable risk factors. These findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive radiological assessment combined with evaluation of underlying clinical and lifestyle factors to support timely diagnosis and effective tuberculosis management.