Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate CT findings of tuberculous pneumonia mainly presenting as parenchymal consolidation.
MATERIALS & METHODS: CT scans of twenty patients with tuberculous pneumonia were retrospectively
reviewed. Analyses included the location, extent, and homogeneity of consolidation, presence of volume loss of
involved lung and air-bronchogram, associated lesions suggesting previous tuberculous infection and evidence
of bronchogenic spread.
RESULTS: The location of consolidation revealed relatively even distribution without any specific predilection
site. The areas of consolidation were irregular in margin (95%), inhomogeneous in attenuation (75%) including
focal areas of low attenuation and multiple cavities within it. Volume loss (70%) of the involved lobe was
associated. There were lesions suggesting previous tuberculous infection (95%) in the surrounding area and
evidences of bronchogenic spread (100%) such as poorly-defined nodules and Iobular consolidations in the
remote site from main consolidation.
CONCLUSION: In tuberculous pneumonia, the areas of consolidation are irregular in margin and inhomogeneous in attenuation on CT scan. The evidences of bronchogenic spread and lesions suggesting previous tuberculous infection are almost
always associated in the surrounding or remote site from main consolidation.