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Radiological
evaluation of chest in
Abdominal Tuberculosis
926-928
Correspondence
Sujit Kumar Bhattacharyya
Vill-Aminpur, P.O.-Khamarchandi
P.S-Haripal, Hooghly(DISTRICT) ,West Bengal, India
PIN - 712405
E-mail: drsujit.haripal@yahoo.in
Phone: 9433151875.
Aim: To evaluate the chest x-ray in all non-HIV patients with abdominal tuberculosis.
Methods: Total 161 patients were studied who were retrospectively diagnosed as abdominal tuberculosis based on clinical examination and various biochemical, histopathological and radiological investigations . They were analyzed in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine of a tertiary medical centre during the period May 2005 to April 2010. All patients with abdominal tuberculosis were reviewed with x-ray chest both PA and Lateral view.
Results: Total 161 patients were studied with x-ray chest PA and lateral view. In 63 cases (39.13%) there were no radiological abnormalities and 98 cases (60.87%) showed radiological abnormalities of which 49 cases (30.43%) had features consistent with old lesion and 49 cases (30.43%) had features of active lesions. Commonest old lesion was pulmonary fibrosis found in 21cases (13.04%) of which majority (80.95%) were solitary. Pleural thickening was found in 9 cases (5.59%), calcification of pleura in 8 cases (4.97%) and mostly in the left side. Calcified hilar lymphnode found in 2 cases (1.24%) and combination group under old lesion seen in 9 cases (5.59%).Commonest active lesion was pulmonary infiltrate seen in 25 cases (15.52 %) and majority ( 80%) were solitary. Pleural effusion found in 8 patients (4.97%) and was more common in the right side. Miliary opacities were found in 2 cases (1.24%). Isolated hilar and paratracheal lymphadenopathy were found in 1case (0.62%) and 2 cases respectively. Mediastinal widening was found in 2 cases (1.24%), cavitary lesion seen in 3 cases (1.86%) and all were found in upper zone and combination group with active lesions observed in 6 cases(3.72%).
Conclusion: In our study ,more than 60% cases showed radiological abnormalities of chest. It was equal in number both for old lesion and active lesion. Pulmonary fibrosis was the commonest old lesion whereas pulmonary infiltrate was the commonest radiological abnormalities among active lesion .Diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis often poses a challenge to the physicians. High degree of clinical suspicion is required and x-ray chest often helps to diagnose these cases.