Saulat Ullah Khan, Saulat Ullah Khan, Shamshad Rasul Awan, Sharef K, Javaid Magsi.
Lower lung field Tuberculosis.
Pak J Chest Med Jan ;11(1):3-5.

Background: This study was conducted to define the frequency of lower lung field tuberculosis. The patients who were AFB smear positive and had infiltrate in the lower lung field on X-ray chest P.A. view were analyzed in detailed for age group, sex proportion, clinical presentations and for their outcome. They were also analyzed for associated diseases and the findings were compared with other reported studies. Patients and method: A retrospective review of 25 cases of lower lung field tuberculosis treated at the institute of tuberculosis & Chest diseases, King Edward Medical College/Mayo Hospital, Lahore during on year period was undertaken. The 25 patients comprise 16 males (64%) and 9 females (36%). The clinical features of the patients were similar to those of previous reported studies. In one year period 54.45% admission were due to pulmonary tuberculosis. Among them 3.98% had lower lung field tuberculosis. 60% were between 15-55 years, 32% had diabetes mellitus 4% renal failure 8% cirrhosis of liver and 4% were having kyphoscoliosis. Conclusion: We conclude that this atypical presentation i.e. lower lung field tuberculosis should be kept in mind because the clinical features of the disease may be nonspecific. Lower lung field tuberculosis produces much confusion in the diagnosis. The atypical presentation is more common in advance age, patients on steroids treatment, renal or hepatic disease. An early diagnosis of lower lung field tuberculosis is necessary to prevent complications. A high index of suspicion is essential for the early diagnosis in order to avoid delay in therapy and poor out come.

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