Clinical and bronchoscopic features of endobronchial tuberculosis

Clinical and bronchoscopic features of endobronchial tuberculosis were retrospectively investigated in 24 patients. A barking cough was the most frequent chief complaint in 50% of patients. The typical apico-subclavian localization of pulmonary tuberculosis in adults was found in only 50% of patients; in one patient the lung fields were clear. Bronchoscopic features consisted of exudative lesions in 38% of cases, ulcerative lesions in 25%, granulomatous lesions in 25%, and ulcerative-granulomatous tumour-like lesions in 12%. In 12% of patients, a residual fibrotic stenosis was seen. It was concluded from our data that patients whose cough is barking and resistant to antitussive agents should be evaluated for endobronchial tuberculosis, and, therefore, the use of fibreoptic bronchoscopy is mandatory. We also conclude that diagnosis of endobronchial tuberculosis demands the use of corticosteroid therapy.