[Balloon dilation using fiberoptic bronchoscope in the management of bronchial stenosis due to tuberculosis].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the safety and efficacy of balloon dilation using fiberoptic bronchoscope in the management of bronchial stenosis due to tuberculosis.


METHODS
The clinical data and long term follow-up results of 25 patients with bronchial stenosis due to tuberculosis who had received balloon dilation using a fiberoptic bronchoscope were retrospectively analyzed. Before the procedure and immediately after the last operation, airway diameters were estimated in all patients.


RESULTS
Two to seven operations were required to achieve satisfactory dilatation. After balloon dilatation, the average airway diameter increased from (2.8 +/- 1.1) mm to (6.7 +/- 2.3) mm (t = 5.471, P < 0.05). No complications occurred during inflation among all patients. After 2 to 36 months follow-up, no re-stenosis appeared. Sixteen patients were followed for more than 1 year, and the average airway diameter was (5.5 +/- 2.0) mm 1 year after the last balloon dilation. There was a significant difference compared with the average airway diameter before dilation (t = 2.834, P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference as compared with the average airway diameter after the last balloon dilation. Of 11 patients with atelectasis, the atelectasis completely resolved after balloon dilation in 2 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Balloon dilation using fiberoptic bronchoscope is an effective, safe, and simple method for treatment of bronchial stenosis due to tuberculosis.
Duan
Hong-fei
HF
Department of Bronchoscope, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing 101149, China.
Fu
Yu
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult