Pulmonary tuberculosis

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Erythema nodosum associated with sarcoidosis	Miliary tuberculosis	Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan	Pulmonary nodule - front view chest X-ray
Respiratory system	Tuberculosis, advanced - chest X-rays	Tuberculosis in the kidney	Tuberculosis in the lung
Tuberculosis of the lungs

TB; Tuberculosis - pulmonary; Consumption

• Limited to minor cough and mild fever, if apparent
• Fatigue
• Unintentional weight loss
• Coughing up blood
• Fever and night sweats
• Phlegm-producing cough

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Wheezing
• Excessive sweating, especially at night
• Chest pain
• Breathing difficulty

Examination of the lungs by stethoscope can reveal crackles (unusual breath sounds). Enlarged or tender lymph nodes may be present in the neck or other areas. Fluid may be detectable around a lung. Clubbing of the fingers or toes may be present.

Tests may include:

• Chest x-ray
• Sputum cultures
• Tuberculin skin test
• Bronchoscopy
• Thoracentesis
• Chest CT
• Interferon (IFN)-gamma blood test. This type of test looks for an immune response to proteins produced by M. tuberculosis. In December 2004, the FDA approved the QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-Gold) test as an alternate to the traditional tuberculin skin test (TST).
• Rarely, biopsy of the affected tissue (typically lungs, pleura, or lymph nodes)

Review Date: 09/08/2005
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. editorial. Previously reviewed by Allen J. Blaivas, D.O., Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University Hospital, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/6/2004).