Chest radiographic findings in sputum smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis as seen in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis has become a major public health concern particularly with the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. Recent report has shown that the disease affects mainly young adults in their most productive age with attendant socio-economic impact on the nation. Although sputum bacteriology is the gold standard for the diagnosis of PTB, chest radiography is a valuable tool for its investigation and management. Objective: To determine pattern of chest radiographic findings in sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis. Method: A two-year prospective study was undertaken between January, 2010 and December, 2011 among treatment naïve sputum smear positive PTB patients who had chest radiograph at diagnosis. The socio-demographic and clinical features were recorded. The chest radiographs were reported by radiologist and the data was analysed using SPSS version 11. Results: One hundred and six consecutive PTB patients who had chest radiograph were studied. Their age range was 20 - 75 years with mean (±SD) of 37.1 (±10.3) years. There were 78 males (73.6%) with male to female ratio of 1.4:1. Significant proportions (54%) were of low socio-economic status and 52% were HIV positive. The commonest presenting radiological features were patchy/streaky opacities and cavitatory lesions. Eight had pleural effusion while lung collapse was found in 4 patients. Bilateral involvement of the lung fields was commoner (68.3%) and upper lobe disease was the commonest finding. Conclusion: Patchy/streaky opacities and cavitatory lesions were the commonest radiographic features in our study. Bilateral and upper lobe affectations were predominant. Chest radiograph remains a useful tool in the diagnosis and subsequent management of PTB.