AIRWAY STENOSIS AFTER TRACHEOBRONCHIAL TUBERCULOSIS

Primary endobronchial localization of tuberculosis without change on c hest X-ray is a rare clinical entity, and bronchoscopic examination is most appropriate to reveal such an occurrence. A 38-year-old man and a 52-year-old women underwent fibre-optic bronchoscopy many months aft er the onset of cough with poor sputum and dyspnoea on exercise, chest X-ray being normal. In both cases, a widespread granulomatous involve ment of the tracheo-bronchial tree was found and cultures of bronchial wash grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Patients recovered after 6 mont hs of combined anti-tuberculous and steroid therapy; the granulomatous lesions disappeared but stenoses were found in the trachea and/or mai n bronchi. In one case, CO2 laser therapy was performed with no improv ement.