To evaluate the characteristic HRCT findings in active pulmonary tuberculosis, we reviewed HRCT findings in 51 patients with suspected active pulmonary tuberculosis clinically and radiologically. The confirmations of active tuberculosis were
based
on
the identification of acid fast bacilli in sputum, transbronchial lung biopsy and washing study. Clinical and radiological improvement after antituberculous medication was also considered as active tuberculosis.
The frequent HRCT findings of active tuberculosis were as following in order : centrilobular nodule or branching linear density, bronchial wall thickening, tree-in-bud appearance, poorly defined nodule, cavity, bronchectasis and lobular
consolidation.
And the less frequent impaction. Sites of predilection were as followings in order : right upper, left upper, right lower, left lower and right middle lobes. Multisegmental involvements were far more common than single.
Among the above findings, the branching centrilobular lesions were the most common and characteristic ones in CT scans obtained in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. HRCT may provide valuable information about disease activity,
especially
in
patients in whom recent reactivation of disease in suspected.
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