ACCURACY OF DIGITAL XRAY TO DIAGNOSE PULMONARY TB IN POPULATION OF TOBA TEK SINGH

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health concern globally, with early and accurate diagnosis being crucial for effective treatment and prevention. X-rays are commonly used for TB screening, but their diagnostic accuracy may vary, especially when compared to the gold standard of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). In the population of Toba Tek Singh, evaluating the diagnostic performance of X-rays in detecting pulmonary TB in comparison to HRCT can provide insights into their reliability and potential limitations in this specific region. Objective: To diagnostic accuracy of x-rays in diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis while keeping high resolution computed tomography as a gold standard in population of Toba Tek Singh. Methodology: The research was conducted at DHQ Hospital Toba Tek Singh in Radiology department, involving patients with pulmonary tuberculosis referred for Computed Tomography in the radiology department. Data collection from CT imaging was conducted after obtaining informed consent. Results: The study included 84 participants which had a mean age of 47 years, with a nearly equal gender distribution. X-ray results showed most cases without cavitation (70.2%), fibrosis (86.9%), and consolidation (59.5%). HRCT revealed tree-in-bud and centrilobular nodules in 31% and 44% of cases, respectively. Statistical tests showed no significant associations between cavitation, nodules, pleural effusion, consolidation, lymphadenopathy, or infiltrates on X-ray and the final diagnosis on HRCT. However, fibrosis on X-ray had a significant association with the final diagnosis, indicating its potential diagnostic value. Conclusion: The study indicates that certain radiological findings on X-ray and HRCT, such as fibrosis, may be significant for diagnosing diseases in the sample population. However, no statistically significant associations were found between other features like cavitation, nodules, pleural effusion, and consolidation on X-ray with the final diagnosis. These findings suggest that while certain imaging features may help inform clinical decisions, further investigation is needed to explore the diagnostic utility of these radiological markers.