HIGH-RESOLUTION CHEST CT IN TUBERCULOSIS - EVOLUTIVE PATTERNS AND SIGNS OF ACTIVITY

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to determine evolutive patterns and signs of active tuberculosis on high resolution CT (HRCT) scans. M ethod: We followed up over 15 months 27 patients with postprimary pulm onary tuberculosis that was proven bacteriologically. CT scans were pe rformed before, during, and after 6 months of anti-tuberculosis treatm ent. Both 10-mm-thick sections and 1.5-mm-thick HRCT scans were perfor med. Results: Ground-glass pattern was noticed 26 times, 9 times after 2 month treatment and only 2 times after 6 month treatment. Among the se two patients, one did not undergo his treatment properly and the ot her one had an additional bacterial infection. Centrilobular nodules ( n = 17) and poorly marginated nodules (n = 21) were present only befor e treatment. Reticular pattern (intralobular and septal thickening), i nterstitial nodules, and fibrosis were seen both before and after trea tment. Ground-glass pattern, poorly marginated nodules, and infiltrate s as well as centrilobular nodules were related to an active infection . Conclusion: This HRCT may be helpful to demonstrate activity in pati ents suspected of having tuberculosis and to assess antituberculous tr eatment efficiency.