[Tuberculous pneumothorax: Diagnosis and treatment]

Pneumothorax is a serious complication of cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to describe clinical futures, to highlight challenges of its management.

A retrospective multicentric and descriptive study including 65 patients treated for PT (1999-2015) was conducted to figure out clinical futures and its work-up.

The mean age was 37.8 years. The sex ratio was 3.6. Smoking history and incarceration were noted respectively in 67.6 and 15.3% of cases. Acute respiratory failure and cachexia were reported in 26.1 and 10.7% of cases. The PT was inaugural in 41.5% of cases. Pyo-pneumothorax was noted in 69.2% of cases. The duration of antituberculous treatment ranged from 6 to 15 months for susceptible TB and was at least 12 months for resistant TB (4 cases). Thoracic drainage was performed in 90.7% patients. Its average length was 47 days. The drain drop was noted in 20% of cases. Bronchopleural fistula was diagnosed in 6 cases and pleural infection in 5 of cases. Surgery treatment was necessary in 6 cases. Mean time to surgery was 171 days. Six patients had pleural decortication associated with pulmonary resection in 4 cases. Persistent chronic PT was noted in 12.6% and chronic respiratory failure in 3% of cases and death in 15.3% of cases.

The diagnosis of the PT is often easy. Its treatment encounters multiples difficulties. Duration of thoracic drainage and anti-TB treatment are usually long. Surgery is proposed lately.