Interpretation of Chest X-rays in Tuberculosis

Authors: Bary Rabinovitch, MD, FRCP(C)—Author; Madhukar Pai, MD, PhD—co-author and Series Editor
Number of pages: 9
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Overview: Every GP in India will need to consider TB as a differential diagnosis in persons with cough lasting two weeks or more, or with unexplained chronic fever and/or weight loss. Chest radiography is very widely used in India. Chest x-rays serve as an invaluable adjunct in the diagnosis and follow-up of TB. However, TB may mimic other diseases on x-rays, and non TB conditions may look like TB. Thus, chest x-rays are neither specific nor sensitive, and so remain a supplement to microbiological tests such as microscopy, PCR and culture. Treatment of TB purely on the basis of x-rays can result in significant over-treatment with adverse consequences for patients. Therefore, all persons with chest radiographic findings suggestive of TB should have sputum specimens submitted for microbiological examination. This article provides a series of x-rays that serve to educate the provider about radiological interpretation of TB and common pitfalls and errors in interpretation.

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Interpretation of Chest X-rays in Tuberculosis

9 thoughts on “Interpretation of Chest X-rays in Tuberculosis

  1. SIR I AM , RANJAN KUMAR AGE-28 YEARS, SUFFERING FROM BONE T.B. AS PER MRI TEST REPORT.AND TAKING THE MEDICINE FOR TB FOR LAST 14 DAYS. THE MEDICINES I INTAKE ARE:
    1. R-CINEX 600 (COMP.- RIFAMPICIN- 600 MG & ISONIAZID -300 MG)- EMPTY STOMACH 1 TAB DAILY,
    2. MYCOBUTOL – 1000 (ETHAMBUTOL HYDROCHLORIDE – 1000 MG) 1 TAB DAILY,
    3.PZIDE 1250 (PYRAZINAMIDE – 1250 MG) 1 TAB DAILY,
    4. BENADON ( PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE – 40 MG) 1/2 TAB DAILY,
    5.BIO D3 PLUS- 1 TAB DAILY,
    6. A TO Z – 1 TAB DAILY,
    7. LIV 52- 1 TAB DAILY,
    BUT MY PAIN IS STILL THERE IN TB AFFECTED AREA i.e., in waist.KINDLY SUGGEST ME FOR IN THIS REGARD. HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO RECOVER MYSELF.

    1. The doctor has the right to initiate you on treatment using radiological confirmation despite negative genexpert result

  2. Sir before 3 months I did chest X ray but after 3 months I got report that in chest old/inactive PTB
    So at this moment what should I do n which conselten I need to meet . Answer me please
    Thank you

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