Investigations and Management

CXR

- changes compatible with PTB in >70% cases

Chest x-rays need to be of decent quality and interpretation depends on the expertise of the person reading them. CXR changes are often non-specific and may be completely normal in the HIV-infected or malnourished child.TB disease should not be diagnosed from the CXR alone. The whole clinical picture should be considered.

The most common x-ray findings suggesting TB in children are:

Mantoux procedure

(depending on the availability of PPD)