Minimal PTB

My friend had a chest X-ray and based on the findings, it says consider minimal PTB, left.  Please correlate with other clinical and laboratory parameters.  On his chest PA findings show that there is confluent reticular densities are noted on the left upper outer lung zone.  The pulmonary vascular markings are within normal.  The cardiac shadow is not enlarged.  The diaphragm, both lateral costophrenic sulci and the bony thorax are unremarkable.  I would like to know what this means?  Is this a serious disease?

[National Jewish Health]

I assume that PTB is pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).  Confluent reticular densities is an x-ray term for shadows that have a net-like linear appearance.  When localized to this location, the left upper outer lung zone, it is usually an indicator of TB infection, which might be active or inactive, which is considered scarring.  One cannot tell if the TB is active from the appearance.  This must be accomplished with other testing, including sputum cultures.

If this proves to be active TB, keep in mind that in the overwhelming majority of cases, this is a very successfully treated disease.

Good luck.

[pepeng_agimat]

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[mich83]

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[dahnne]

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