Abstract: Objective To improve the differential diagnosis level of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula(PAVF) and pulmonary tuberculosis(PTB). Methods Retrospective analysis was conducted on 12 PAVF cases diagnosed in our hospital who were misdiagnosed as PTB for long term in other hospitals from January,1990 to October,2005. Results 12 cases were misdiagnosed as PTB in other hospitals for long term and had anti-TB treatment for different duration and was confirmed as PAVF in our hospital. Conclusion As the TB incidence increased,clinical doctor’s vigilance to TB strengthened generally.The atypical clinical manifestation of PAVF and PTB and variety of chest lX-ray films increased the misdiagnosing rate.TB doctors should break the regular thought of TB,including the understanding of different pulmonary diseases such as PAVF and increase the level of diagnosis and differential diagnosis of PAVF and PTB.Attention should be paid to the diagnosis of smear negative PTB and the confirmation of the diagnosis should be made through other approach.The anti-TB treatment based on experience should be followed by re-examination of Chest X-ray to confirm the diagnosis.Chest CT(strengthened) or lung artery radiography play an important role on diagnosis and differential diagnosis of PAVF.

Key words: Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Misdiagnose