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Spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to tuberculosis
La Tunisie Medicale
|March 2, 2018
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) can cause spontaneous pneumothorax (SP), often linked with active cavitary disease. Treatment with chemotherapy and chest drainage usually leads to recovery, though some patients may develop pleural complications.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is a significant complication of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).
- Despite TB being a common cause, reported series on tubercular pneumothorax are scarce.
- This study addresses the limited literature on SP secondary to TB.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze the clinical experience of spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to tuberculosis.
- To describe the characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of patients with tubercular pneumothorax.
- To highlight the association between SP and active cavitary TB.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized between 2005 and 2015.
- Inclusion criteria: patients with spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to tuberculosis.
- Data collected on patient demographics, clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, treatment, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- The study included patients with a mean age of 38.5 years; 2 had a history of TB.
- Chest X-rays revealed pneumothorax (5 cases), hydropneumothorax (5 cases), and cavitary lesions (5 cases).
- All patients had acid-alcohol-resistant bacilli in expectorations; treatment involved chemotherapy and chest drainage (average 23 days).
- Favorable outcomes were observed in 5 cases, with 2 patients experiencing delayed bacilli negativation and 2 developing pachypleuritis requiring surgery.
Conclusions:
- Tubercular pneumothorax in this series was consistently associated with active cavitated tuberculosis.
- Antitubercular chemotherapy combined with chest drainage generally resulted in a favorable clinical course.
- Pleural sequelae, such as pachypleuritis, can persist in some patients despite treatment.
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