Value electronic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of endobronchial tuberculosis

Objective To explore the clinical and electronic bronchoscopic features of endobronchial tuberculosis with negative sputum acid-fast bacillus.Methods Clinical symptoms,chest X-ray/CT manifestations and bronchoscopic findings of 69 cases with endobronchinal tuberculosis were investigated retrospectively.Results Roentgenographic appearance were exudation,atelectasis and bronchitis,12 patients(17.2%) had clear lung fields.Under electronic bronchoscopy,exudative lesions in 28 cases,ulceration lesions in 18 cases,granulomatous lesions in 15 cases,and occlusive lesions in 8 cases.The successful detection rate of biopsy and brushing smear were 87.0% and 84.1% respectively.Conclusion The clinical manifestations and roentgenographic appearances of endobronchial tuberculosis with negative sputum acid-fast bacillus are not specific,so electronic bronchoscopy is mandatory for the prompt diagnosis,and bronchial biopsy and brushing smear examination for acid-fast bacillus are beneficial to rapid and definite diagnosis.