This phenomenon is known as air bronchogram and it is a characteristic sign of consolidation. Chest CT is an effective diagnostic method when plain films are normal or inconclusive. In endemic regions, the normal host immune response may be sufficient to. Although chest X-ray is the primary diagnostic tool for evaluating pulmonary TB, chest computed tomography (CT) is generally required to detect fine lesions that can be overlooked on chest X-ray, to define equivocal lesions, or to evaluate complications4,14. 1 Tuberculosis may involve multiple organs, such as the lung, liver, spleen, kidney, brain, and bone. If the larger airways are spared, they are of relatively low density (blacker). Primary tuberculosis has generally been defined as onset of clinical disease within 12 months of initial infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. If an area of lung is consolidated it becomes dense and white. They all look similar and clinical information will often help you decide the diagnosis. It is important to be aware that consolidation does not always mean there is infection, and the small airways may fill with material other than pus (as in pneumonia), such as fluid (pulmonary oedema), blood (pulmonary haemorrhage), or cells (cancer). If the alveoli and small airways fill with dense material, the lung is said to be consolidated. If there is an area that is different from the surrounding ipsilateral lung, then this is likely to be the abnormal area. Once you have spotted asymmetry, the next step is to decide which side is abnormal. Asymmetry of lung density is represented as either abnormal whiteness (increased density), or abnormal blackness (decreased density). A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest may help to better define abnormalities in patients with vague findings on chest radiography. If chest radiography findings suggest TB and a sputum smear is positive for AFB, initiate treatment for TB. Remember many lung diseases are bilateral and symmetricalĪssess the lungs by comparing the upper, middle and lower lung zones on the left and right. Obtain a chest radiograph to evaluate for possible associated pulmonary findings.The whiter side is not always the abnormal side.Compare an area of abnormality with the rest of the lung on the same side.Compare the left and right upper, middle and lower lung zones.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |