Imaging of pulmonary post-tuberculosis sequelae

Abstract

Worldwide, tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top 10 causes of death, and the leading cause from a single infectious agent. Pakistan has an overwhelming burden of TB and it is a major health hazard for the majority of the rural population. The lung continues to be the most common site of involvement and even after completion of treatment residual changes remain which may affect quality of life.Complications of TB after treatment completion can often be misinterpreted for other active diseases so it is important to recognize and understand the radiologic manifestations of the thoracic sequelae. Post TB sequelae can be categorized into parenchymal, airway disease, pleural/chest wall, vascular and mediastinal. These residual changes can be minor however, some can be debilitating and even fatal.The purpose of this pictorial review is to show the spectrum of residual changes seen on chest radiography and/or computed tomography that persist after treatment completion and bacteriological cure.