Comprehensive Radiological Evaluation of Thoracic and Abdominal Diseases

Radiological imaging plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis, characterization, and management of thoracic and abdominal diseases. Pulmonary tuberculosis and abdominal pathologies remain major contributors to global morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing regions. Imaging modalities such as chest radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasonography are integral to early detection, disease staging, and therapeutic monitoring . Chest radiography remains the cornerstone for initial evaluation of pulmonary diseases, whereas CT, particularly high-resolution CT (HRCT), provides superior sensitivity for detecting subtle parenchymal abnormalities and disease activity. In abdominal imaging, ultrasonography is widely utilized as a first-line modality due to its safety, real-time imaging capability, and cost-effectiveness. Radiological manifestations vary widely depending on disease type, stage, and host factors. Pulmonary infections demonstrate patterns such as consolidation, cavitation, and tree-in-bud nodularity, while abdominal diseases show characteristic sonographic features including echogenic alterations, organ enlargement, and vascular changes. Recent advancements, including contrast-enhanced imaging, elastography, and artificial intelligence, have significantly improved diagnostic accuracy and clinical outcomes. This review synthesizes current literature on radiological evaluation of thoracic and abdominal diseases, highlighting imaging findings, diagnostic strategies, and emerging technologies.