Abstract
Pulmonary tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains a global health concern, with diverse clinical presentations that can often pose diagnostic challenges. While conventional imaging modalities such as chest X-rays have been crucial in screening and diagnosis, limitations in sensitivity and specificity have led to an increased reliance on computed tomography imaging that plays a pivotal role in identifying features that may not be readily apparent on standard radiographs. However, computed tomography scans may show subtle and unique features that can overlap with other respiratory conditions leading to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. They mainly include uncommon lung lesions (like masses, solitary or multiple nodules, cystic lesions, ground glass opacities and reversed halo sign) and location particularly to the lower lobes as well as the association with other pulmonary conditions like emphysema, interstitial lung disease and lung cancer.
This paper aims to elucidate the atypical computed tomography features of pulmonary tuberculosis that clinicians and radiologists should be mindful of to improve diagnostic accuracy.