Pulmonary tuberculosis: contributions of radiology in diagnosis and treatment

This review records the important place that radiologic examinations have had in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in the past nine decades. Very soon after the discovery of x-rays it became apparent that chest roentgenograms would be a help in identifying pulmonary lesions. As the quality of the examinations improved, the benefits became significantly better. Earlier lesions were diagnosed. Follow-up studies after medical or surgical treatment were increasingly helpful. Newly developed techniques allowed demonstration of extrapulmonary complications. Radiologic monitoring of collapse therapy played a critical role in the successes achieved. Even after the medical conquest of active tuberculous lesions by drug therapy, identification of new lesions and follow-up of treated patients remains a significant role for radiology. Control of this once fatal and widely feared disease depends on continued early recognition and appropriate treatment.