Tuberculosis Pulmonar Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnostic Imaging

A radiolucent image of 2 cm in the right apical region in a young patient with evening fever, diaphoresis, weight loss, and chronic cough is highly suggestive of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, according to the American College of Radiology 1
The American College of Radiology states that cancer is extremely rare in 19-year-old patients 2

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends bacilloscopy in sputum as the initial diagnostic support study that should be requested immediately, with a strength of evidence based on expert opinion 3, 4
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that three sputum samples should be obtained on different days to maximize diagnostic sensitivity, with a strength of evidence based on expert opinion 3, 4
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the PPD (tuberculin skin test) only demonstrates infection, not active disease, with a strength of evidence based on expert opinion 3, 5

In endemic areas like Zacatlán, Mexico, tuberculosis should be considered in any patient with a cough of more than 3 weeks, regardless of radiographic findings, according to the American Thoracic Society 7, 3

The American College of Radiology recommends considering tuberculosis in patients with chronic cough, fever, and weight loss, even in the absence of radiographic findings, with a strength of evidence based on expert opinion 1