Airway stenosis after tracheo-bronchial tuberculosis

Respir Med. 1997 Feb;91(2):107-10. doi: 10.1016/s0954-6111(97)90076-7.

Abstract

Primary endobronchial localization of tuberculosis without change on chest X-ray is a rare clinical entity, and bronchoscopic examination is most appropriate to reveal such an occurrence. A 38-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman underwent fibre-optic bronchoscopy many months after the onset of cough with poor sputum and dyspnoea on exercise, chest X-ray being normal. In both cases, a widespread granulomatous involvement of the tracheo-bronchial tree was found and cultures of bronchial wash grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Patients recovered after 6 months of combined anti-tuberculous and steroid therapy; the granulomatous lesions disappeared but stenoses were found in the trachea and/or main bronchi. In one case, CO2 laser therapy was performed with no improvement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bronchial Diseases / diagnosis
  • Bronchial Diseases / microbiology*
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Female
  • Fiber Optic Technology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Tracheal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Tracheal Diseases / microbiology*
  • Tracheal Stenosis / diagnosis
  • Tracheal Stenosis / microbiology*
  • Tuberculosis / complications*
  • Tuberculosis / diagnosis