[Attitude toward patients with pulmonary pathological images supposed to be tuberculosis but without bacteriological confirmation].
In view of establishing an attitude toward patients with pathological pulmonary images, suspected of tuberculosis but without bacteriological confirmation, a study was organized in an area serviced by 9 offices of phthisiology. A total of 154 such cases were identified between 1st January and 30th April 1978. These were followed up and controlled by radiological as well as bacteriological examinations for a period of one year. The anti-tuberculous treatment did not have to be applied except when the diagnosis was confirmed as tuberculosis. In 11 of the patients (7,1%) the diagnosis was made from the start, and it was established that they had active, non-bacillary pulmonary tuberculosis. In another 49 patients (31,8%) the suspicion was abandoned, and tuberculosis. In another 49 patients (31,8%) the suspicion was abandoned, and various other pulmonary affections, but not tuberculosis, were diagnosed, either of chronic or acute type. The remaining 94 patients (61,1%) remained suspected of tuberculosis. In 16 of them, in spite of the provisions made in the protocol of the study, anti-tuberculous treatment was applied. Of them 3 died of pulmonary cancers during the follow-up. The remaining suspects were not treated. Five of them (7,3%) have developed active tuberculosis, bacteriologically confirmed in 3 of the cases. The rest had a normal eventless evolution. The authors consider the careful investigation and follow-up of suspects for a period of one year as the most correct attitude in such cases.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000995:Antitubercular Agents
Atitudinea faţă de bolnavii cu imagini patologice pulmonare, suspecţi de tbc, dar fără confirmare bacteriologică.