title: High resolution computed tomography findings in smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis patients according to their culture status.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the clinical features and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and to evaluate the correlation between these parameters and the culture results.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively studied 78 active smear-negative PTB patients. They were divided into two groups according to their culture results. The HRCT findings and clinical features at the beginning of the antituberculosis treatment were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 22.48±3.18 years. Micronodules (87%), large nodules (63%) and centrilobular nodules (62%) were the most common HRCT findings. HRCT findings were observed in the right upper (72%), left upper (56%), right lower (32%), and left lower lobes (29%). Cough (37%) and chest pain (32%) were the most frequent symptoms at presentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were no significant differences in the HRCT findings and clinical features between the two groups. Thus, in cases of smear-negative and culture-negative PTB, the patient with compatible clinical and radiological features should be considered for tuberculosis treatment.
authors: 1 Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey ; 2 Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Etlik, Turkey ; 3 Department of Radiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey ; 4 Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey.
authors: Tayfun
authors: T
authors: Caliskan
authors: 1 Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey ; 2 Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Etlik, Turkey ; 3 Department of Radiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey ; 4 Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey.
authors: Tuncer
authors: T
authors: Ozkisa
authors: 1 Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey ; 2 Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Etlik, Turkey ; 3 Department of Radiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey ; 4 Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey.
authors: Serkan
authors: S
authors: Aribal
authors: 1 Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey ; 2 Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Etlik, Turkey ; 3 Department of Radiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey ; 4 Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey.
authors: Hatice
authors: H
authors: Kaya
authors: 1 Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey ; 2 Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Etlik, Turkey ; 3 Department of Radiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey ; 4 Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Incedayi
authors: 1 Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey ; 2 Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Etlik, Turkey ; 3 Department of Radiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey ; 4 Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey.
authors: Asim
authors: A
authors: Ulcay
authors: 1 Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey ; 2 Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Etlik, Turkey ; 3 Department of Radiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey ; 4 Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey.
authors: Faruk
authors: F
authors: Ciftci
keywords: Smear; culture; high resolution computed tomography (HRCT); negative; tuberculosis (TB)