[Computed tomography in the diagnosis of infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis]

Computer-aided tomography (CAT) was carried out in 67 patients with infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis. Both standard and high-resolution CAT were used to assess the lung status. The data were correlated to x-ray findings. Advantages of high-resolution CAT in the detection of destruction cavities, foci and interstitial changes were shown. CAT helps differentiate between the changes in the tuberculous infiltrate due to pulmonary tissue caseous necrosis and the perifocal reactions presenting as local edema and serous inflammation. CAT is the most effective in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary infiltration of unknown origin, in specification of the tuberculous process phase, in assessment of the type of residual changes, and in planning of surgery.