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. 2003 Jun;7(6):563-8.

The high value of high-resolution computed tomography in predicting the activity of pulmonary tuberculosis

Y H Wang  1 , A S Lin, Y F Lai, T Y Chao, J W Liu, S F Ko
Affiliations
  • PMID: 12797699

The high value of high-resolution computed tomography in predicting the activity of pulmonary tuberculosis

Y H Wang et al. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2003 Jun.

Abstract

Setting: A 2500-bed medical centre in southern Taiwan.

Objective: To study the clinical value of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in predicting the activity of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).

Design: HRCTs were performed prospectively in 148 patients whose chest radiographs (CXRs) showed highly suspicious signs of pulmonary TB, predominantly upper lung field infiltration. The HRCT findings, interpreted independently by a pulmonologist and a radiologist, were used to predict the activity of pulmonary TB.

Results: Pulmonologist-interpreted and radiologist-interpreted HRCTs showed high sensitivity (both 93%), specificity (83 vs. 88%), accuracy (86 vs. 90%), positive predictive values (76 vs. 83%) and negative predictive values (both 95%). Kappa statistic indicates good inter-reader agreement.

Conclusion: HRCT has a high value in predicting the activity of pulmonary TB. It is a useful tool in this regard when a patient with suspected pulmonary TB lacks microbiologic proof, when clinical condition makes invasive diagnosis impossible or when a patient has completed anti-tuberculosis treatment with no compatible unequivocal CXR.

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