RESUMO
PURPOSE: Tuberculosis remains the most important infectious disease all over the world. We report on the CT findings of lung tuberculosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Standardised retrospective analysis of the computed tomographic examinations in a total of 100 patients suffering from cultural or histological proven pulmonary tuberculosis. RESULTS: The most common finding in our study group were micronodules and lobular opacities accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes. Cavitation and alteration of the bronchial system (esp. bronchial wall thickening) were found less common. The so-called tree-in bud-appearance which had been estimated by other authors to be rather characteristic for active pulmonary tuberculosis was seen in only 12/100 examinations. It is often found in cases showing severe bronchogenic spreading of the disease. CONCLUSION: The active pulmonary tuberculosis does not show any pathognomonic sign but the combination of findings as opacities and cavitation and segmental spreaded micronodules make the diagnosis probable. This holds also for the so-called tree-in-bud appearances which may be rather suggestive but is seen only in cases suffering from severe bronchiogenic propagation.
