Endobronchial tuberculosis-a review.
Endobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB) is a tuberculous infection of the tracheobronchial tree with microbial and histopathological evidence. Patients may present with symptoms secondary to disease itself or from the complication of disease like endobronchial obstruction. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. Computed tomography (CT) and bronchoscopy along with microbiological investigations are the most useful diagnostic tools for the confirmation as well as for the evaluation of the tracheobronchial stenosis. The goals of treatment are eradication of tubercle bacilli with anti-tubercular medications and the prevention of airway stenosis. Interventional Bronchoscopic techniques and surgery is required for those patients who develop severe tracheobronchial stenosis that causing significant symptoms including dyspnea, repeated post obstructive pneumonia or bronchiectasis.
Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Talha
T
Shahzad
Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Muhammad
M
Irfan
Endobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB); bronchoscopy; complications; endobronchial obstruction; radiology