THE RADIOLOGICAL SEQUELAE OF PULMONARY AND PLEURAL TUBERCULOSIS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency and pattern of radiological sequelae of pulmonary and pleural tuberculosis in patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Duration and Place of Study: Conducted from 10 April to 30 June 2026 at the Pulmonology Unit, Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad.

Methodology: A total of 93 patients with previous history of pulmonary or pleural tuberculosis were included by using prevalence-based sample size calculation. Patients who completed full anti-tuberculosis therapy and had post-treatment radiological findings on chest X-ray or high-resolution computed tomography were enrolled. Radiological sequelae including fibrosis, bronchiectasis, cavitation, pleural thickening and fibrosing mediastinitis were assessed according to radiologist report. Chi-square test and Fisher exact test were applied for post-stratification analysis.

Results: Mean age of patients was 49.39 ± 19.40 years and mean duration after anti-tuberculosis therapy was 8.66 ± 5.61 years. Male patients were 53 (57.0%) and rural residents were 66 (71.0%). Radiological sequelae were present in 73 (78.5%) patients. Fibrosis was the most common finding observed in 63 (86.3%) patients, followed by bronchiectasis in 31 (42.5%), pleural thickening in 19 (26.0%), cavitation in 14 (19.2%) and fibrosing mediastinitis in 1 (1.4%) patient. Age above 50 years (p=0.022) and rural residence (p=0.004) showed significant association with radiological sequelae.

Conclusion: Radiological sequelae after tuberculosis were very common, with fibrosis being the predominant finding. Older age and rural residence were significantly associated with higher frequency of sequelae.