[Tuberculosis of the lung bases]

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant public health challenge in Morocco.
• Basal pulmonary tuberculosis is an uncommon and atypical manifestation, presenting diagnostic difficulties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical, radiological, and microbiological characteristics of basal pulmonary tuberculosis.
• To highlight the diagnostic challenges and emphasize the importance of considering this atypical TB form.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study of 21 cases of basal pulmonary tuberculosis.
• Data collected from Ibn Rushd hospital in Casablanca between 2004 and 2015.
• Analysis of patient demographics, diagnostic timelines, radiological findings, comorbidities, bronchoscopic results, and microbiological data.

Main Results:

• The majority of patients (62%) were women, with an average age of 33 years.
• Diagnosis averaged 25 days; the disease was predominantly unilateral (95%), affecting the right lower lobe most frequently (71%).
• Common radiological findings included inhomogeneous opacities (66%), with diabetes being the most frequent comorbidity (28%). Microbiological confirmation varied across sample types.

Conclusions:

• Basal pulmonary tuberculosis presents misleading features, contributing to diagnostic delays.
• Increased awareness and consideration of basal pulmonary tuberculosis are essential, particularly in patients with comorbidities.