From the lung apices to the hemi-diaphragms, 1.5-mm thick sections were taken at 10-mm intervals. The images were prospectively reconstructed with the use of a high-resolution bone algorithm in diagnosing the lung lesions. The HRCT results were then compared with the results of clinical and para-clinical work-up on the patients. The analysis and comparison of rank values were performed using the chi-square P-values less than 0.05, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were likewise computed.

Results showed that 61 of the patients were negative for sputum smear and culture, 9 were positive for both, 5 negative for sputum smear and culture positive and 27 diagnosed according to BAL and TBLB results (Martin and Lazarus 2000, Karam). All of the patients had x-ray or chest radiographs suggesting active PTB through infiltration or cavitation in the upper lobes. HRCT findings concluded that 76 of the patients or 74.5% had...
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