Radiographic patterns of pulmonary tuberculosis among the Suruí indians of Rondônia, Amazonia

The radiographic patterns of 23/33 (69.7%) Suruí indians, of the Brazilian Amazon, treated in 2003-2004 were analyzed. The analysis showed that 44.8% presented unspecific infiltrates, 10.3% presented cavitations and 39.1% presented multiple parenchymal involvements. Although 36% of the patients presented normal radiographs, they underwent anti-tuberculous treatment without having been submitted for other possible means of diagnosis.

Tuberculosis; Radiographic patterns; Diagnosis; South American indians