Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] Hi my friend had a PTB 7 years ago but already had taken his medication. When he had his x-ray AP view , 2 weeks ago,, theres a fibrous something on his right upper lobe. The impression said its PTB. Could he still have PTB or it was just a scar? Thank you!
[|AI|]  Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. Since your friend had tuberculosis in the past, possibility of scar tissue on recent x-ray is more. Tb lesion heals by either fibrosis or calcification. And it appears as scar tissue on chest x-ray. This lesion appears as it is for lifelong. So possibility of scar lesion is more in his case. But at the same time, tuberculosis can reactivate and cause active tuberculosis in the same lesion. So if your friend is symptomatic (fever, cough, weight loss) than better to get done sputum examination for AFB and CT thorax. If both these are normal for active tb lesion than no need to worry about tuberculosis at present and his x-ray is showing scar tissue only. Hope I have solved your query. Wishing good health to your friend. Thanks.