https://doi.org/10.4081/monaldi.2022.2415

Comparative analysis of airway invasive aspergillosis and endobronchial spread of tuberculosis on high resolution computed tomography

Vol. 93 No. 3 (2023)
Submitted: August 22, 2022
Accepted: October 18, 2022
Published: October 25, 2022
Immunosuppressed, HRCT chest, T-I-B opacities
Abstract Views: 905
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Authors

Rupi Jamwal
rupijamwal@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4358-7406
Department of Radiodiagnosis, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Dinesh Singh Kushwaha
Department of Radiodiagnosis, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Charu Paruthi
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3818-8761
Department of Radiodiagnosis, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Yatish Agarwal
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4109-8705
Department of Radiodiagnosis, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Baljeet Singh Virk
Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Malini R. Capoor
Department of Microbiology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.

The presence of tree-in-bud (T-I-B) pulmonary opacities on high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in tuberculosis endemic areas is frequently regarded as a sine qua non for endobronchial tuberculosis (TB). That is not always the case, however. They can also be found in immunocompromised non-neutropenic patients with airway invasive aspergillosis (IA). Understanding the differences between the two conditions is thus critical for making an accurate diagnosis. This research aims to pinpoint those distinguishing characteristics. The study defines the distribution and morphology of T-I-B opacities and other ancillary pulmonary findings in the two conditions by performing a retrospective analysis of HRCT features in 53 immunocompromised patients with lower respiratory tract symptoms, 38 of whom were positive for TB on BAL fluid analysis and 15 confirmed IA by Galactomannan method. While the global distribution of T-I-B opacities affecting all lobes favoured TB (p=0.002), the basal distribution overwhelmingly favoured IA (p<0.0001). Morphologically, dense nodules with discrete margins were associated with TB, whereas nodules with ground-glass density and fuzzy margins were associated with IA. Clustering of nodules was observed in 18 TB patients (p=0.0008). Cavitation was found in 14 (36.84%) of TB patients but not in any of the IA patients. Peri-bronchial consolidation was found in seven (46.67%) of the IA cases and four (10.53%) of the TB cases (p=0.005, 0.007). The presence of ground-glass opacity and bronchiectasis did not differ significantly between the two groups. Not all T-I-B opacities on HRCT chest in immunocompromised patients in endemic TB areas should be reported as tubercular. Immunocompromised non-neutropenic patients with airway IA can be identified earlier with tree-in-bud opacities on HRCT chest, even in the absence of a nodule with halo, resulting in earlier and more effective management.

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How to Cite

Jamwal, Rupi, Dinesh Singh Kushwaha, Charu Paruthi, Yatish Agarwal, Baljeet Singh Virk, and Malini R. Capoor. 2022. “Comparative Analysis of Airway Invasive Aspergillosis and Endobronchial Spread of Tuberculosis on High Resolution Computed Tomography”. Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease 93 (3). https://doi.org/10.4081/monaldi.2022.2415.
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