Thoracic CT Scan Findings in Patients with HIV/TB co-infection before and after treatment

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) infection is common in patients infected with the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this study, we evaluated thoracic CT scan findings of HIV/TB co-infection, before and after anti-TB treatment.

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, pre-and post-treatment thoracic CT scans of patients diagnosed with HIV and definite pulmonary TB infection were evaluated.

A total of 101 patients (64 male, 37 female, mean age of 43±3.4) were included. The most common findings before treatment of TB were mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy with hypodense center (41.58%) and free pleural effusion (32.67%). The prevalence of these findings decreased to half after anti-TB treatment (P= 0.009 and P= 0.003 respectively). Loculated pleural effusion showed increased prevalence after treatment (P= 0.031) with no significant change in the prevalence of bronchiectasis, solitary pulmonary nodule, and lymphadenopathy without a hypodense center.

The most prevalent thoracic CT scan findings in patients with HIV/TB co-infection before anti-TB treatment were lymphadenopathy with the hypodense center, pleural effusion, and ground-glass opacities. After treatment, numerous changes in imaging manifestations might be seen. The remaining residual CT scan findings (including bronchiectasis, lymphadenopathy with a hypodense center, and solitary pulmonary nodule) require more attention for accurate interpretation of thoracic CT scans in HIV patients.