"ESTUDO DE 76 CASOS RADIOLOGICAMENTE SUSPEITOS ENCONTRADOS NO RECENSEAMENTO TORÁCICO DE 4.519 ALUNOS DA UNIVERSIDADE DE SÃO PAULO"

Abstract

The authors carried out a study of the epidemiological characteristics of seventy six cases who had suspicious X-ray signs of tuberculosis. These cases were encountered during a chest X-ray examination of 4. 519 students in the University of São Paulo, in which an overall morbidity rate of 1,68r'o was found.Classification of Cases. 1) Cases discovered by the Service ... 41,53,94%.2) Cases diagnosed prior to examination in the Service...18,26,68%. 3)oubtful...15,19,73%. 4) Cases with non-tubercular pulmonary lesions...2, 2,63%.In this study the interest is focusecl on the forty one cases discovered by the Service, that is to say those who, according to the concept of Hrauenning, would be classified as Jnapparent Tuberculosis". After haviing studied the cases according to sex, age and degree of respiratory ·symptoms, the authors made a radiological classification according to extent or grade of the lesions:1) Minimal tuberculosis...48,78%.2) Moderated advanced tuberculosis 36,58%.3) Far advanced tuberculosis...14,63%. The cases were classified according to developmental tendency as follows: 1) Progressive 39,0%.2) Arrested...26,8%.3) Regressive...7,3%. 4)Undetermined 26,8%.It was interesting to note the developmental tendency ( degree o f activity) in relation to the extent of tlte lesions: 1) Minimal lesions Progressive 21,4%. Arrested or regressive 78,6%. 2)Moderately advanced lesions Progressive 75,0%. Arrested or regressive 25,0%. 3) Far advanced lesions Progressive 100%. These figures are convincing evidence of the vital importance of early diagnosis in the prognosis of the tuherculous process.In addition the authors present data on the relation of these cases to the results of examination of sputum and gastric juice for Koch's hacillus anel to the variations m the blood sedimetation rate.