Reversible cystic disease associated with pulmonary tuberculosis: radiologic findings

Abstract

Purpose: The authors describe radiologic findings of cystic lung disease associated with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Materials and methods: Three immunocompetent women with pulmonary tuberculosis were seen with acute respiratory failure and diffuse bilateral pulmonary opacity depicted at admission chest radiography. The women did not have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. They were aged 26, 27, and 52 years.

Results: Follow-up radiography and computed tomography showed multiple air-filled cystic lesions in both lungs, which disappeared almost completely after antituberculous chemotherapy (isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol hydrochloride, and pyrazinamide).

Conclusion: Pulmonary tuberculosis manifested with reversible multiple cystic lung disease in three immunocompetent patients.