Endobronchial tuberculosis presented as multiple endobronchial vesicular lesions

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Endobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB) involves tuberculous infection of the tracheobronchial tree.
• Common symptoms include cough, wheeze, fever, and constitutional symptoms.
• Differential diagnoses in the elderly include malignancy and pneumonia, complicating EBTB diagnosis.

Observation:

• A rare case of EBTB is presented in a 65-year-old patient.
• The patient exhibited a 3-month history of fever and cough.
• Bronchoscopy revealed multiple endobronchial vesicular lesions.

Findings:

• The case underscores the importance of bronchoscopy for confirming EBTB.
• Vesicular lesions represent a rare manifestation of endobronchial tuberculosis.
• Prompt diagnosis is crucial, particularly in elderly patients with atypical presentations.

Implications:

• This case emphasizes the need for a high index of suspicion for EBTB in elderly patients presenting with prolonged respiratory symptoms.
• Bronchoscopy remains the gold standard for diagnosing EBTB, especially when clinical presentation is atypical.
• Recognizing rare EBTB presentations like vesicular lesions can improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.