PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS : KEY RADIOLOGICAL FEATURES IN CHEST RADIOGRAPH

Abstract

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a microorganism named Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (TB) can be pulmonary or extra-pulmonary, where it can infect various organs other than the lung. For example, bone, gut, urinary bladder, joints, and the central nervous system. In 2023, it was estimated that around 10.8 million people were infected with tuberculosis, and Southeast East Asia countries are the most affected, accounting for around 45% of the infections, followed by the African region (24%). Symptoms of TB infection can include chronic cough (> 3 weeks), hemoptysis, loss of weight, loss of appetite, night sweats, and low-grade fever. Other symptoms, especially of extrapulmonary TB, can be seizures, chronic soft tissue abscesses, back pain, and intestinal obstruction. Diagnosis of tuberculosis infection is based on clinical assessment, chest radiograph, and laboratory investigations, especially sputum AFB, mycobacterial culture, and Xpert Ultra. Since chest radiograph is easily available, knowledge of recognizing pulmonary tuberculosis features is essential for medical personnel.