title: Aetiologies and predictors of pulmonary cavities in South Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the aetiologies of pulmonary cavities and the clinical predictors of cavities of mycobacterial origin.
  
  
  METHODS
  A tertiary referral hospital in South Korea, where the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) is intermediate.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of clinical records and radiographic examinations of patients presenting pulmonary cavities on simple chest radiograph between January and December 2005.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 131 patients enrolled with pulmonary cavities, 66 (50.4%) had cavities of mycobacterial origin. Age <50 years (P = 0.04) and largest cavity located in the upper lobes (P = 0.04) increased the likelihood that the cavities were of mycobacterial origin. Conversely, history of malignancy (P = 0.02), lesions confined to one lobe (P = 0.02) and multiple enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes (P = 0.03) suggested a non-mycobacterial cause.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mycobacterial infection accounted for half of the cavitary lesions identified in this study. In older patients with a history of malignancy, non-nodular infiltration, lesions confined to one lobe and with multiple lymphadenopathy, diseases not caused by mycobacteria should be considered.
authors: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine and Lung Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 28 Yongon-Dong, Chongno-Gu, Seoul 110-744, Republic of Korea.
authors: Y-W
authors: YW
authors: Yang
authors: Y A
authors: YA
authors: Kang
authors: S H
authors: SH
authors: Lee
authors: S-M
authors: SM
authors: Lee
authors: C-G
authors: CG
authors: Yoo
authors: Y W
authors: YW
authors: Kim
authors: S K
authors: SK
authors: Han
authors: Y-S
authors: YS
authors: Shim
authors: J-J
authors: JJ
authors: Yim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies