title: Endobronchial tuberculosis.
abstract: Endobronchial tuberculosis refers to tuberculous infection of the tracheobronchial tree. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion since symptoms are attributed to co-existing pulmonary tuberculosis and airway lesions are not detectable on chest radiograph. While computed tomography and bronchoscopy are useful for the evaluation of tracheobronchial stenosis or obstruction, goals of treatment remain in the eradication of tubercle bacilli and prevention of airway stenosis. Corticosteroids may halt progression of active disease to fibro-stenotic stage, however if tracheobronchial stenosis causing post-obstructive pneumonia, atelectasis and dyspnea has occurred, airway patency must be restored mechanically by surgery or bronchoscopic techniques.
authors: Associate Professor, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Director of Interventional Pulmonology, Senior Consultant, Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National University Hospital, 1E Kent Ridge Road 119228, Singapore. Electronic address: pyng_lee@nuhs.edu.sg.
authors: Pyng
authors: P
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology*; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D019468:Disease Management; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011379:Prognosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Airway stricture; Bronchoscopy; Endobronchial tuberculosis; Pulmonary tuberculosis; Surgery