Clinical Study of Lower-Lung Field Tuberculosis

Background: lower lung field tuberculosis is atypical presentationof pulmonary tuberculosis which often causes confusionin diagnosis. hiv/alds epidemic has considerably increasedits incidence. this study was designed to identify theprevalence and different clinical conditions of lung tuberculosisin conjunction with its common clinical and radiologicalpresentations and its treatment.methods: the patients diagnosed as having pulmonary tuberculosiswith lesions below an arbitrary line across the hila oftheir chest x-rays, considered lower lung field tuberculosis, areincluded in this study. laboratory testing was done on sputumfor acid-fast bacillus. hiv testing, blood sugar and other relevantexaminations were performed in each patient.results: out of a total of 2 i7 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis,j9.8% had lower lung field tuberculosis. the majorityof the patients (41.8 0/'0) were over 60-yrs of age. it wasmore common in female (21.8%) than in male patients(j 7.7%). unilateral disease was more common (52%) andthe right side involvement was more frequently affected(60%). consolidation (47%) and cavitations (26%) were themain radiological findings.conclusion: lower lung field tuberculosis is fairly commonin central part of iran. its clinical presentation is similar to thatof classical upper lung field tuberculosis