Imaging diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in immunocompromised patients

Objective: To evaluate CT and X-ray features of pulmonary tuberculosis in diabetic patients, patients post kidney transplantation, and patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Methods: The authors reviewed CT scans in 20 patients with diabetic patients, X-ray films in 10 cases after kidney transplantation, and CT scans in 2 patients with AIDS. Results: CT features of pulmonary tuberculosis in diabetic diseases included larger confluent consolidation (10 cases ), multiple small cavities within any given lesion (9 cases ) and non-segmental distribution (2 cases). Satellite lesions were found in most films. The X-ray appearances of pulmonary tuberculosis post kidney transplantation included patch and larger confluent consolidation (6 cases), and miliary tuberculosis(4 cases). The CT findings of pulmonary tuberculosis with AIDS were enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes (1 case), pulmonary infiltration (1 case), and extra chest lesions(2 cases) such as enlarged neck lymph nodes and post-peritoneal lymph nodes. Conclusion: The Main radiological findings of pulmonary tuberculosis in immunocompromised patients appear larger confluent consolidation, multiple small cavities within a given lesion, miliary tuberculosis, enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes, and extra chest enlarged lymph nodes