[Endoscopic examinations in the primary tuberculosis complex in childhood]

The authors draw attention here to a series of cases of primary tuberculosis in early infancy (in children aged between 4 months and 4 years), and they stress that it is indispensable to perform endoscopy in those forms where the lymphoglandular element constitutes the starting point of symptoms of local complications. The authors point to the high incidence of bronchoglandular fistulae mentioned in publications, which can be discovered exclusively by endoscopy and which can also be made easy by cortisone therapy. This therapy moreover remains a fundamental weapon against respiratory defect which follow when the lymphoglandular element of the primary tuberculous infection affects the bronchi. The authors also wish to stress that the cortisone therapy can also avoid serious loss of of pulmonary function as demonstrated in a patient whom the authors were only able to observe at a late stage.