Clinical aspects of TB

Other investigations :.

These depend on the availability of resources and equipment, for example in some areas of the world where there is a high incidence of tuberculosis, X-ray facilities may be scarce. The principal investigations include:

1. Chest radiography

2. Bronchoscopy: useful for diagnosis of suspected endobronchial tuberculosis (where CXR appears normal), smear and culture negative pulmonary TB. Bronchial aspirate and lung biopsies are complementary investigations. Culture of bronchial aspirate provides a diagnosis in approximately 40% of all sputum negative cases undergoing bronchoscopy.

3. Pleural biopsy (for pleural effusions)

4. Needle biopsy (for example to distinguish between neoplasm and tuberculoma).

5. Tuberculin skin testing may be useful in certain circumstances

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