Table 3. Comparative analysis of radiological findings, by group (early and delayed diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis).
| Characteristic | Group | p | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early diagnosis* | Delayed diagnosis† | ||
| (n = 28) | (n = 50) | ||
| n (%) | n (%) | ||
| Chest X-ray findings | |||
| Normal | 0 (0.0) | 4 (8.0) | 0.291 |
| Cavitation | 18 (64.3) | 11 (22.0) | 0.001 |
| Reticular infiltrate | 16 (57.1) | 21 (42.0) | 0.294 |
| Consolidation | 25 (89.3) | 27 (54.0) | 0.003 |
| Residual fibrosis | 7 (25.0) | 12 (24.0) | 1.000 |
| Miliary pattern | 1 (3.6) | 7 (14.0) | 0.247 |
| Pleural effusion | 5 (17.9) | 17 (34.0) | 0.209 |
| Bronchiectasis | 0 (0.0) | 1 (2.0) | 1.000 |
| Atelectasis | 8 (28.6) | 10 (20.0) | 0.561 |
| Lymphadenopathy | 0 (0.0) | 3 (6.0) | 0.549 |
| Location of lesions | |||
| APUL | 16 (57.1) | 21 (42.0) | 0.294 |
| B6 | 9 (32.1) | 14 (28.0) | 0.900 |
| AUL | 12 (42.9) | 14 (28.0) | 0.278 |
| Middle lobe | 1 (3.6) | 3 (6.0) | 1.000 |
| Lingula | 1 (3.6) | 2 (4.0) | 1.000 |
| Basal pyramid | 8 (28.6) | 11 (22.0) | 0.709 |
| Diffuse | 7 (25.0) | 13 (26.0) | 1.000 |
| Parenchymal damage | |||
| None | 0 (0.0) | 4 (8.0) | 0.432 |
| Left lung | 5 (17.9) | 11 (22.0) | |
| Right lung | 9 (32.1) | 14 (28.0) | |
| Bilateral | 14 (50.0) | 21 (42.0) | |
| Radiologist conclusion | |||
| Post-primary tuberculosis | 16 (57.0) | 21 (42.0) | 0.332 |
| Another diagnosis | 6 (21.4) | 11 (22.0) | |
| Undetermined | 6 (21.4) | 14 (28.0) | |
| Normal | 0 (0.0) | 4 (8.0) | |
APUL: anterior and posterior upper lobe; B6: superior segment of the lower lobe; and AUL: anterior upper lobe. *< 2 days from the initial radiological examination to the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. †≥ 2 days from the initial radiological examination to the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.