title: Pulmonary tuberculosis: contributions of radiology in diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: This review records the important place that radiologic examinations have had in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in the past nine decades. Very soon after the discovery of x-rays it became apparent that chest roentgenograms would be a help in identifying pulmonary lesions. As the quality of the examinations improved, the benefits became significantly better. Earlier lesions were diagnosed. Follow-up studies after medical or surgical treatment were increasingly helpful. Newly developed techniques allowed demonstration of extrapulmonary complications. Radiologic monitoring of collapse therapy played a critical role in the successes achieved. Even after the medical conquest of active tuberculous lesions by drug therapy, identification of new lesions and follow-up of treated patients remains a significant role for radiology. Control of this once fatal and widely feared disease depends on continued early recognition and appropriate treatment.
mesh_terms: D003096:Collapse Therapy / Q000266:history; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography / Q000266:history*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy