Management of Endobronchial TB (EBTB) stenosis – Experience from a tertiary care center from South India

DG. Mascarenhas*^a (Dr), H. Gonuguntla^a (Dr), RK. Manoharlal^a (Dr), MAI. Khan^a (Dr), P. Vidyasagar^a (Dr)

^a Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad, INDIA

* don1987@gmail.com

Background:

India accounts for 26 % of global burden of tuberculosis (WHO Global report 2021). Approximately 6-50 % of these cases have Endobronchial TB, however the true incidence and complications of EBTB is unknown as routine bronchoscopy is not performed in all tuberculosis cases. Despite Anti tuberculous treatment (ATT) and steroid therapy , development of bronchial stenosis is usually irreversible and requires either bronchoscopic or surgical intervention to restore airway patency.

Aim:

To describe our bronchoscopic interventional experience in post TB endobronchial stenosis.

Methods and material:

A prospective observational study was conducted in our institute spanning over a period of one year from April 2021 to March 2022. All patients referred for treatment of post TB endobronchial stenosis were taken into study. These patients will be followed up for a period of 6 months post procedure and results compiled.

Results:

Sixteen patients were included in our study. Six were males and ten females with a mean age of 29 years. The most common presenting symptoms were cough and progressive breathlessness. The average duration of completion of ATT to development of symptoms was 3 months. Out of sixteen cases, 13 had left bronchial tree involvement and and three had right bronchial tree involvement. All patients underwent electrocautery and balloon bronchoplasty and one patient underwent stenting. All patients had significant reduction in symptoms immediately post procedure. All patients are being followed up with surveillance bronchoscopy and results will be presented during the conference.

Conclusion:

Balloon bronchoplasty offers significant immediate relief of respiratory symptoms in post tb stenosis and is a valuable alternative to surgical interventions.

Disclosure of funding source(s): none