Radiologic manifestations of adult tuberculosis

Adult pulmonary tuberculosis commonly presents with radiographic findings of upper lobe cavitary opacities, in which case the correct diagnosis is usually suspected. However, other radiographic presentations of this disease in the adult include intrathoracic adenopathy, pleural effusion, lower lobe consolidation, a miliary pattern, and a solitary nodule. In these latter cases, tuberculosis may not be considered in the differential diagnosis. This article discusses the protean manifestations of adult pulmonary tuberculosis.