Sensitivity of chest X-rays and their relation to sputum results in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in Hosanna Hospital

Abstract

A retrospective analysis of records of Tuberculosis (TB) patients from Hossana Hospital was done from May to July 1994 to assess the relationship of chest radiographic patterns and the likelihood of finding Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) in sputum smears done for pulmonary TB patients. The sputum results, clinical diagnosis, and other demographic variables were obtained from the hospital tuberculosis register. The chest-X Ray (CXR) findings of each patient were reviewed by a radiologist. A total of 352 hospital records with sputum and CXR results were included in the study and 43.8% and 66.2% of the patients had positive smear results for AFB and CXR suggestive for pulmonary TB, respectively. Among the major CXR findings, cases with cavity, interstitial shadowing, and lung collapse showed over 50% smear positivity. In this study it is noted that the CXR was used for all suspects of TB which resulted in an increased cost for routine diagnosis. The use of the flow sheet for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB and to use additional clinical tools is recommanded if the need arises.


(Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 2000, 14(2): 199-204)