Radiological Findings in Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Cross-sectional Study
1Dr Reeta Rani, 2Dr Muhammad Naeem, 3Prof. Dr. Anjum Rehman,4Dr Jamal Hussain, 5Khizer Javed, 6Hammad Murad
Submission: 02 February 2026 | Acceptance: 09 March 2020 | Publication: 05 April 2026,
1Associate Professor Daignostic Radiology Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College Lyari Karachi.
2Ophthalmology, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar LRH
3Gynecologist, Shaheed Mohtarma Banezir Bhutto Medical College Lyari general hospital Karachi
4Assistant professor ophthalmology swat medical college and swat medical complex
5PIMS Islamabad
6UHS Lahore
Abstract
Background
Particularly in low- and middle-income nations, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) continues to be a serious worldwide health concern. Radiological imaging is essential for diagnosis, evaluating the severity of the disease, tracking the effectiveness of treatment, and identifying consequences. The objective of this investigation was to assess the radiological spectrum of PTB and its correlation with clinical characteristics.
Objectives
Evaluating the radiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in a representative patient population was the main goal of this investigation. Assessing the frequency and distribution of particular radiological findings, figuring out how imaging patterns relate to clinical characteristics such comorbidities and HIV status, and rating the degree of radiological participation were secondary goals.
Methods
From January 2025 to January 2026, a cross-sectional study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital. Patients with microbiologically verified PTB who were adults (≥18 years old) were included. All patients had chest radiography, and in certain instances, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was carried out. Two separate radiologists examined CT images and radiographs. To evaluate correlations between radiological findings and clinical features, demographic and clinical data were gathered and statistically analysed.
Results
The mean age of the 120 patients was 42.5 ± 15.3 years, and 68.3% of them were men. The results of the chest X-ray showed cavitation (38.3%), upper lobe involvement (65%), and patchy infiltrates (70.8%). HRCT results (n = 60) showed cavitation (58.3%), tree-in-bud appearance (80%), and nodules (86.7%). Longer symptom duration and comorbidities such diabetes mellitus and HIV co-infection were linked to severe radiological involvement (≥4 lobes). Immunocompromised patients showed atypical or lower lobe involvement, whereas male patients were more likely to display traditional upper lobe and cavitary patterns.
Conclusions
The radiographic patterns of pulmonary tuberculosis vary depending on the patient’s comorbidities and demography. For preliminary assessment, a chest X-ray is useful, but in complex cases, a CT scan offers a more thorough evaluation. Accurate diagnosis, risk stratification, and better patient outcomes depend on early detection, thorough radiological evaluation, and integration with clinical data. TB care may be further improved by standardised imaging procedures and severity assessment systems.
Keywords
Pulmonary tuberculosis; Radiological findings; Chest X-ray; High-resolution CT; Cavitation; Upper lobe involvement; Tree-in-bud appearance; HIV; Diabetes mellitus