The use of thoracic computed tomography scanning and EBUS-TBNA to diagnose tuberculosis of the central nervous system: two case reports

Eur Respir Rev. 2010 Dec;19(118):345-7. doi: 10.1183/09059180.00002910.

Abstract

Herein, we report two cases of tuberculosis (TB) of the central nervous system where accessing the cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic purposes was relatively or absolutely contraindicated at presentation. The finding of mediastinal lymphadenopathy on thoracic computed tomography scans, which was not visible on plain chest radiography, allowed endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) of these lymph nodes to support the diagnosis of TB in each patient and rule out other disease processes. EBUS-TBNA is a new bronchoscopic technique and in this case report appears to be a safe and useful option in the diagnosis of TB. Moreover, it proved to be so in cases where the main focus of disease was outside the thorax.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / pathology*
  • Endosonography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tuberculosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tuberculosis / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis / pathology*

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents