Zafar Hussain Iqbal.
Endobronchial Tuberculosis.
Pak J Chest Med Jan ;7(1):21-6.

Endobronchial Tuberculosis is rare condition in general. This is retrospective study in 50 cases of Endobronchial Tuberculosis out of 1028 cases who underwent Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy for various indications between August, 1991 and January, 2001. Out of 50 cases, 33 were males and 17 females with age range between 17 to 90 years. Major presenting symptoms were cough (90%), Fever (44%), Haemoptysis (30%), Weight loss (16%) and Breathlessness (18%). Radiologically main abnormalities were Hilar/Paratrachial mass (20%), Infiltrate (14%), Consolidation (14%), Fibrosis (12%) and Normal Chest X-Rays (12%). Endobronchial appearance was Edematous, hyperemic mucosa (28%), ulcerating lesion (20%) granular (18%), Caseating (16%), Tumorous (12%) and Fibrostenotic (6%). Site of involvement was Trachia (4%), Left Lung (44%) and right lung (50%). Right upper lobe bronchus was involved in maximum number of cases (24%). Diagnosis of endobronchial tuberculosis was confirmed with bronchoscopic biopsy and brushing both in 34% cases, biopsy alone in 24% and brushing alone in 34% cases. Double Pathology of tuberculosis and bronchogenic carcinoma was seen in 8% cases. Endobronchial tuberculosis in majority of cases is associated with pulmonary infection but it can present as isolated lesion as well. Fiber optic bronchoscopy is most useful diagnostic tool for its confirmation.

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