[The clinical value of balloon dilatation through flexible bronchoscope in the management of tracheobronchial stenosis in 149 cases of endobronchial tuberculosis].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the clinical value of balloon dilatation through flexible bronchoscope in the management of tracheobronchial stenosis of endobronchial tuberculosis.


METHODS
From January 2005 to September 2009, 149 cases of tracheobronchial stenosis caused by endobronchial tuberculosis were examined by flexible bronchoscope and treated with balloon dilatation. Changes of the clinical features, atelectasis and airway diameters were observed and evaluated before and after the last treatment and in 12 months.


RESULTS
The airway diameters were immediately enlarged (100%, 149/149) after the procedure, and the clinical symptoms were relieved. The average airway diameter changed from (2.7 ± 1.4) mm before the procedure, to (6.8 ± 2.0) mm, (6.4 ± 1.7) mm and (6.3 ± 2.3) mm immediately, 3 and 12 months after the treatments. Expansion of atelectasis was seen in 92% (34/37) of the cases, and the rate of restenosis was 3.4% (5/146) 12 months after treatment. There were significant differences before and after the treatments in the airway diameters, expansion rate of atelectasis and the general outcome (t = 13.09-20.50, P < 0.01), but there were no differences among measurements immediately, 3 and 12 months after the treatments. The final effective rate was 93.3% (139/149). Severe complications (4.0%, 6/149) were rare in these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Balloon dilatation through flexible bronchoscope is a simple, effective and safe method for the management of tracheobronchial stenosis after endobronchial tuberculosis.
Ding
Wei-min
WM
Department of Bronchoscope, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing 101149, China.
Wang
Jing-ping
JP
Fu
Yu
Y
Zhang
Jian-ying
JY
Fu
Wen-xia
WX
Wang
Wen-jie
WJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002404:Catheterization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult