J Korean Radiol Soc.  2002 Oct;47(4):351-356. 10.3348/jkrs.2002.47.4.351.

Radiographic Findings of Miliary Tuberculosis: Difference in Patients with and those without Associated Acute Respiratory Failure

• Kim MJ
• Lee JS
• Ko YS
• Lee IS
• Seo JB
• Song KS
• Lim TH

• KMID: 2103656
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2002.47.4.351

Abstract

Purpose
To determine the differences in the radiographic findings of miliary tuberculosis between patients with and without associated acute respiratory failure (ARF).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 32 patients in whom miliary tuberculosis had been diagnosed, and assigned them to one of two groups: with ARF (n=10), and without ARF (n=22). Chest radiographic findings such as the presence of miliary nodules, cosolidation, ground-glass opacity (GGO), pleural effusion, small calcified nodules and linear opacities were assessed, the size and profusion of nodules in each of four zones were analyzed and scored using the standard radiographs of the International Labor Organization, and the extent of consolidation and GGO were scored according to the percentage of involved lung. We compared the radiologic findings between the two groups.
RESULTS
Ground-glass opacity, consolidation, and pleural effusion were seen more frequently in miliary tuberculosis patients with ARF than in those without ARF. Although the size and profusion of nodules were similar in both groups (p>0.05), consolidation and ground-glass opacity in cases of miliary tuberculosis with ARF were significantly more extensive than in those without ARF (p<0.005).
CONCLUSION
GGO and consolidation were more extensive in miliary tuberculosis patients with ARF. A finding of ground-glass opacity in miliary tuberculosis patients might be an early indication of developing ARF.

Keyword

Lung, radiography; Lung, infection; Tuberculosis, pulmonary

MeSH Terms

Humans
Lung
Pleural Effusion
Radiography, Thoracic
Respiratory Insufficiency*
Retrospective Studies
Tuberculosis, Miliary*
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary