[Potentialities of x-ray computed tomography in diagnosis and treatment by transthoracic paracentesis of caverns in tuberculosis].

The paper presents data on the use of computed tomography in transthoracic paracentesis of tuberculous caverns for diagnostic and therapeutical purposes. The topography of caverns, their size, the pattern of the cavernous wall, the degree of development and intensity of a fibrous layer were assessed from computed tomographic findings, which was a guide in choosing the procedure of paracentesis of the lung and topical treatment. The patency of draining bronchi was determined by computed tomography to choose instillations or spraying of antibiotics into the cavern. The possibility to determine the presence of intracavernous timbers, the extent of vessels in the adjacent tissue, that of pericavitary fibrosis and pleural commissures made it possible to locate the optimal point of paracentesis and to avoid possible complications, such as hemorrhage and pneumothorax. It is pointed out that computed tomography is shown in the first paracentesis of a cavern to determine its topography and at the end of treatment of establish the outcome of a cavernous process.