Miliary pattern and tuberculosis: suggestive, but not exclusive

Abstract

The term "nodular pattern" refers to small and multiple nodular lesions in the lung parenchyma. The location of the nodules in relation to the structures of the secondary pulmonary lobule allows narrowing the differential diagnosis and categorizes the nodular pattern into perilymphatic, centrilobular and random. The random-type miliary pattern, although commonly linked to tuberculosis, is a radiological manifestation present in several conditions, highlighting fungal infections and metastases. Clinically, these conditions present similar and non-specific signs and symptoms, the histopathological study being the reference method for diagnosis. Radiographic findings depend mainly on the immune status of the host and the exposure load.