Noisy TB - A Case of Unrecognized Coexistent Endobronchial Tuberculosis with Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Abstract

Tuberculous infection of tracheobronchial tree with histopathological and microbiogical evidence with or without parenchymal involvement is defined as Endobronchial Tuberculosis(TB). Endobronchial tuberculosis occurs most commonly in young patients between 2nd to 3rd decade with female preponderance and may present with symptoms of either the underlying disease or its complications. The diagnosis of endobronchial TB requires a high degree of clinical suspicion as chest X-ray and sputum smear may not show evidence of TB infection in majority of cases. Concurrent endobronchial involvement in patient with active TB if not diagnosed early may lead to irreversible sequelae like bronchostenosis and atelectasis. We hereby report patient who presented with atelactasis and unilateral wheeze as sequelae of unrecognized co-existing endobronchial TB with active pulmonary tuberculosis(PTB).

Keywords

• endobronchial tb
• bronchostenosis
• unilateral wheeze