Clinical and Bronchoscopic Features in Endobronchial Tuberculosis

Abstract

Background :The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis has been reducing, but endobronchial tuberculosis continues to be a signigicant heath problem. We performed prospectively bronchoscopy in patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis in order to evaluate the frequency of endobronchial tuberculosis and its related findings. Follow-up bronchoscopy was also performed after treatment to evaluate the incidence of endobronchial complications such as stenosis and remaining lesions. Methods : From January , 1999 to December, 2003, bronchoscopy was performed on patients newly diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. Results : 458 patients were enrolled in this study, out of 699 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis from 1999 to 2003. 234(51%) had endobronchial tuberculosis. The frequency was 40.3% in males and 66.3% in females, The most common symptom was nonspecific cough and sputum, and the main radiologiy finding was patchy infiltration. The most common subtype of endobronchial tuberculosis was the edema-hyperemic form. The right lung was involved more frequently than the left, and the left upper lobe was the most commonly involved site. 58 patients underwent follow-up bronchoscopy and most of been cured without major sequels. However, 8 patients had a stenosis of trachea and main bronchus, and 6 patients had still had endobronchial lesions. Therefore the treatment was prolonged for 3 months. Conclusion : Endobronchial tuberculosis of pulmonary tuberculosis has been remained of high incidence. bronchoscopic and follow-up bronchoscopy examination needs to evaluate the incidence of endobronchial tuberculosis and its related findings and major complication despite of treatment. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2006; 60: 532-539)

Endobronchial Tuberculosis Presenting as Right Middle Lobe Syndrome: Clinical Characteristics and Bronchoscopic Findings in 22 Cases

“…Recent studies have shown that the most common bronchoscopic finding of EBTB is edematous and hyperemic change of the bronchial mucosa 6,7. We found in the present study that edematous-type EBTB was much more common than actively caseating-type EBTB presenting as RMLS.…”

“…However, a recent report demonstrated that there was a 2-peak incidence of EBTB, and it is also common in elderly patients 7. In our present study, most patients were over the age of 65 years, and the mean age was about 70 years.…”

Relationship between bronchial anthracofibrosis and endobronchial tuberculosis

“…This trend was even more prevalent in the BAF group. These findings are likely because these regions include not only the most common site of pulmonary tuberculosis [2,5,22] but also the main pathological site of BAF [7,23]. The principal pathological bronchial finding of BAF was multiple pigmentation and bronchial stenosis [7,8].…”

“…However, in Korea, it is also commonly observed in elderly individuals [5,6], particularly in patients with bronchial anthracofibrosis (BAF) [7]. …”

Treatment of multiple-level tracheobronchial stenosis secondary to endobronchial tuberculosis using bronchoscopic balloon dilatation with topical mitomycin-C

“…Endobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB) is a consequence of pulmonary TB (PTB) extending into the endobronchial or endotracheal wall, and its incidence has been reported to range from 6 to 50 % of cases [ 1 – 3 ]. EBTB can affect any region of the tracheobronchial tree, with higher rates of central EBTB (proximal to lobar bronchi) compared to segmental bronchi [ 3 ].…”