Fiber optic bronchoscopy role in early diagnosis of TB in suspected patients with negative smear and culture of sputum

Abstract

Objective: At present, tuberculosis is one of the health disasters in our community and considering the patients who are in the active age group of (15-64 years). Early diagnosis of disease is one of the most effective methods in management of the disease. There is a yearly increase of 10 million new cases of tuberculosis and 3 million people died of it. Methods: In this investigation we attempted to determine the diagnostic role of fiber optic bronchoscopy in early diagnosis of TB. Findings: The number of patients under investigation was 253 (46% female and 54% male). After performing bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), 98 cases were positive for BK in smear and culture of bronchial fluid (60% were smear positive, 40% culture positive). We also studied the X-ray changes of pulmonary tuberculosis and the clinical symptoms of patients. Conclusion: According to the results we suggest that BAI be performed for all the suspected cases that are BK negative and for all those patients who are strongly suspected to TB in an area such as Iran where TB is an endemic disease. If so, we can make an early diagnosis and prevent the irreversible complications.

Keywords

• tb
• bal
• fiber optic bronchoscopy
• negative smear
• negative culture
• sputum