Diffuse involvement of pulmonary tuberculosis may be difficult to differentiate it from other diffuse lung diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate CT findings of pulmonary tuberculosis and to define characteristics of active pulmonary
tuberculosis. A review of chest radiographs and CTs in 21 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and in 2 patients with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis was made with regard to its pattern and distribution of consolidation, distribution
within
the
secondary lobule, bronchovascular bundle, cavity, bronchiectasis, bullae, and emphysema.
The characteristic CT features of bronchogenic spead of tuberculosis were random distribution, centrilobular nodules along the bronchovascular bundles as in tree-in-bud appearance. Miliary tuberculosis was characterized by even distribution of
1-2mm
sized numerous nodules in entire lung. CT features of active pulmonary tuberculosis appear to be centrilobular, ground glass opacities, consolidation in the secondary lobule or its combined densities. Well defined nodule, bronchiectasis, pleural
thickening, fibrotic cicatrization, bullae, and emphysema could represent inactive tuberculosis. However these findings were combined with active lesions.
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