TUBERCULOSIS ADENOBRONCHIAL FISTULA (TABF ) IN CHILDREN - CONSIDERATION ON PEDIATRIC CASES

Aim: to assess frequence and clinical relevance of tuberculosis adenob ronchial fistulas (TABF) and to evaluate the role of surgical bronchos copy associated with antimicrobical chemotherapy. Methods: 21 cases of TABF, admitted at the Department of Infectious Disease, Bambino Gesu Children Hospital in Rome, between 1980 and 1995, were studied. Clinic al diagnosis was confirmed by bronchial endoscopy. Results: incidence of TABF is 22,5 % of pulmonary TBC. All patients were treated with ass ociation of medical therapy and endobronchial local surgical treatment . Conclusions: TABF is a complication of pediatric pulmonary TBC. We s uggest to control clinical and radiological parameters to submit the p atients to a diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy.