The Association Between Radiological Scores and Clinical Severity of Childhood Pulmonary Tuberculosis

<bold>Background-aim:</bold> Thorax computed tomography(CT) increases the diagnostic accuracy of childhood pulmonary tuberculosis(PT). The aim of this study is to evaluate patients diagnosed with PT and examine the association between thorax CT and clinical findings. <bold>Method:</bold> 23 patients diagnosed with PT in 3 pediatric pulmonology outpatient clinics were enrolled. The presence of consolidation and atelectasis were scored as follows:<1/3 of the affected lobe involved=1 point,<2/3 involved=2 points, <3/3involved=3 points, 3/3 involved=4 points. One point was given for the presence of nodules, tree in bud, cavern, peribronchial thickening, lymphadenopathy, and pleural involvement, and the total radiology score was calculated. <bold>Results:</bold> Eleven patients (44.8%) were female;the median age at diagnosis was 14 years(IQR:9–16). Six patients (26.1%) needed oxygen support, and one (4.3%) needed intensive care at admission. The median weight loss percentage was 7%(IQR:4–10). Median body mass index(BMI)z-score was −0.8(IQR:-0.1-0.2). The most frequently detected radiological findings were lymphadenopathy(100%), consolidation (91.3%), atelectasis(82.6%). Two patients were diagnosed with miliary, one with disseminated, 20 with pulmonary tuberculosis. The median hospital stay was 14(IQR:0–24)days. The median total radiology score of patients requiring oxygen at admission was significantly higher than that of patients who did not [18.5(IQR:11–22)vs. 6(IQR:5–11), p:0.01]. <bold>Discussion:</bold> Development of a CT score in childhood PT may provide guidance regarding the prognosis of the disease. The percentage of weight loss and oxygen requirement at admission may be indicators of the extension of the pulmonary disease in childhood tuberculosis.