INCIDENTAL RADIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF TUBERCULOSIS IN CHEST TOMOGRAPHY EXAMS FROM AN IMAGING SERVICE IN SÃO LUÍS

Abstract

That tuberculosis (TB) is one of the infectious diseases with a great impact on global and Brazilian public health, posing a constant challenge in low- and middle-income regions due to socioeconomic conditions and limited access to healthcare services. The research aims to describe the findings suggestive of tuberculosis infection/co-infection, as well as associated variables, reinforcing the clinical-laboratory-radiological diagnostic criteria to optimize resources. For this purpose, a retrospective cross-sectional analysis was performed on 173 chest CT scan reports of patients over 18 years old under outpatient investigation or treatment for respiratory syndrome, from March 2020 to March 2024, in São Luís. The sample was one of convenience, with statistical analysis performed using STATA 15.0 software. Thus, it is observed that the prevalent population was between 50 and 69 years old (37.57%), male (60.12%), and predominantly attended by the SUS (Brazilian Public Healthcare System) (54.91%). The majority of patients did not undergo previous X-ray examinations (82.66%). The most frequent radiological findings were excavated lesions or cavitations (59.54%) and tree-in-bud patterns (73.99%). Although 67.05% presented signs of infection, 93.64% of the findings also indicated risk for COVID-19. This allows concluding that radiological signs suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis were frequent, demonstrating the importance of active diagnosis and treatment according to Ministry of Health guidelines, making professional training crucial for adequate identification and clinical management of tuberculosis.