Case Report: Radiographic findings of pulmonary tuberculosis in a young adult female patient at a type D Hospital

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Indonesia. Early diagnosis of pulmonary TB is often delayed because the initial symptoms resemble those of common respiratory tract infections. Chest radiography plays a crucial role in facilitating early identification and confirmation of TB diagnosis, particularly in healthcare facilities with limited resources such as type D hospitals. 

Objective: To report a case of a young adult female patient with chronic respiratory symptoms confirmed as active pulmonary tuberculosis through radiography and sputum examination. 

Methods: This descriptive case report was compiled based on data from medical history, physical examination, chest radiography, and sputum smear microscopy results. 

Results: A 21-year-old female patient presented with complaints of bloody cough, shortness of breath, weight loss, and fever for two months. Chest X-ray results showed infiltrates and fibrosis in the right lung, indicating a specific tuberculosis process. Sputum examination showed a positive BTA result. The patient was then referred to a type B hospital due to limited facilities and the unavailability of a pulmonologist at the type D hospital. 

Conclusion: Chest radiography plays an important role as an initial diagnostic tool for detecting pulmonary TB. Early detection and timely referral to more comprehensive facilities are key to the successful control of tuberculosis in the community.