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Chest Radiography in Tuberculosis Detection
Fact Sheets
December 31, 2016

Chest Radiography in Tuberculosis Detection

X-ray based examinations are crucial in a variety of medical setting and at all major levels of health care. Chest radiography, or chest X-ray (CXR) is a rapid imaging tool that allows for easy identification of lung abnormalities. CXR is an essential tool for early detection of tuberculosis (TB), and therefore fundamental to achieving the targets set out in WHO’s End TB Strategy. CXR has high sensitivity, but limited specificity for detecting pulmonary TB.

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X-ray based examinations are crucial in a variety of medical setting and at all major levels of health care. Chest radiography, or chest X-ray (CXR) is a rapid imaging tool that allows for easy identification of lung abnormalities. CXR is an essential tool for early detection of tuberculosis (TB), and therefore fundamental to achieving the targets set out in WHO’s End TB Strategy. CXR has high sensitivity, but limited specificity for detecting pulmonary TB. It is therefore especially suitable for TB screening and triaging. Recommendations on CXR in TB detection are included in several WHO policies, summarized below.

Organizations:

World Health Organization (WHO)

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