Tuberc Respir Dis.  1989 Mar;36(1):22-27. 10.4046/trd.1989.36.1.22.

Diagnosis of Suspected Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis by Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy

• KMID: 2528570
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1989.36.1.22

Abstract

To assess the value of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy for evaluating patients suspected of having active pulmonary tuberculosis, we did undergo bronchoscopy in 65 patients. All patients (1) were clinically suspected of having active tuberculosis; (2) had an abnormality on chest x-ray; (3) had an absence of AFB on 3 sputum smears or inability to produce sputum; (4) had an absence of acute infection and malignancy. The evaluation included AFB smear and culture on bronchial washing, transbronchial biopsy, and clinical follow-up with chest x-ray was done more than 3 months Active pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed in 37 of 65 patients (57%). Fiberoptic bronchoscopy provided a diagnosis in 29 patients (78%). Immediate diagnosis was made in 22 patients (59%) from AFB smears on bronchial washing samples or transbronchial biopsy Cultures of bronchial washing specimen from 19 patients (51 %) were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy is a useful procedure in evaluating patient with negative AFB smears. It can improve the ability to document active pulmonary tuberculosis and provides a sensitive means of making an immediate diagnosis and a choice of sensitive drugs.