HRCT Spectrum of Pulmonary Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in HIV Negative Patients: A Study in Indian Population

Aims Multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a major contagious health problem in India. There is no significant difference between Multidrug resistant and drug-sensitive tuberculosis on the basis of clinical findings, therefore determination of characteristic radiological findings pointing towards multidrug resistant tuberculosis might be of help in its appropriate management. Methods We retrospectively evaluated the spectrum of HRCT chest findings in 50 patients with clinically and microbiologically proven MDR-TB admitted to our hospital namely, consolidation, cavity (presence and number), centrilobular nodules (including a tree-in-bud pattern), fibrosis, bronchiectasis, collapse, lymphadenopathy, pleural effusion and pleural thickening. Results Almost all i. e.49 patients (98 %) had lung involvement and amongst them majority 46 patients (92 %) had bilateral lung involvement. Out of 50 patients, nodules were present in 41 patients, cavities in 26 patients, consolidation in 25 patients, fibrosis in 25 patients, 22 patients had tree in bud / V-Y pattern of nodules, 21 patients had collapse and 20 patients had bronchiectasis. Of the 26 patients who had cavities, 23 patients (88 %) had multiple (greater than1) cavities and 3 patients (12 %) had single cavity. Pleural involvement was seen in 25 patients, 14 patients had pleural effusion, 11 patients had pleural thickening. Lymphadenopathy was present in 33 patients. Conclusion Knowledge of the typical HRCT findings of MDR-TB allows a diagnosis of suspicion, which may be useful in selecting appropriate anti-TB treatment in infected patients.