Thin-section CT characteristics of active and inactive pulmonary tuberculosis

Abstract

Objective To evaluate characteristic of active and inactive pulmonary tuberculosis using thin-section CT. Methods Total of 138 patients were reviewed retrospectively using thin-section CT for suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis.12 patients were excluded due to sputum smear/culture negative or no follow-up results or final diagnosis of non-tuberculous lesions.The results from 126 patients were used for this study.On the basis of disease activity and inactivity，thin-section CT patterns of micronodules，nodules，masses，consolidation，cavity，ground-glass opacity，and bronchial abnormalities were assessed.Results Of the 138 patients included in this study,91 cases were active and 35 cases were inactive.Most common thin-section CT manifestations of active pulmonary tuberculosis were centrilobular micronodules，bronchiectasis，consolidation，acinar micronodules，ground-glass opacity，nodules，thick-walled cavities，bronchial wall thickening with irregular stenosis or occlusion，masses and miliary micro-nodules.Among this，consolidation，ground-glass opacity，thick-walled cavities，bronchial wall thickening with irregular stenosis or occlusion and miliary micronodules were specific performance.Most common thin-section CT manifestations of inactive pulmonary tuberculosis were calcified nodules，irregular linear，defined-well centrilobular micronodules，traction bronchiectasis，defined-well acinar micronodules，pericicatricial emphysema，parenchyma bands，incompletely calcified nodules and bronchial wall thickening with smooth stenosis，of which irregular linear，pericicatricial emphysema，parenchyma bands，and bronchial wall thickening with smooth stenosis were specific performance.Conclusions Interaction of these thin-section CT signs can be helpful in the distinction of active from inactive pulmonary tuberculosis in most cases.