Endoscopic Bronchial Occlusion with Silicon Spigots for the Treatment of an Alveolar-pleural Fistula during Anti-tuberculosis Therapy for Tuberculous Empyema

Intern Med. 2016;55(15):2055-9. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.6672. Epub 2016 Aug 1.

Abstract

A prolonged air leak caused by pulmonary tuberculosis is difficult to treat, and little is known about optimal treatment strategies. We herein report the case of a 60-year-old man who demonstrated tuberculous empyema with a fistula. An air leak from a tuberculous cavity in his left upper lobe persisted for approximately 4 months; surgical repair could not be performed due to a poor physical status and undernourishment. However, the air leak was successfully treated with endobronchial occlusion using two silicone spigots in left B3b and B4, without any adverse effects or aggravation of the infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bronchial Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Bronchial Fistula / therapy*
  • Bronchoscopy / instrumentation*
  • Embolization, Therapeutic / instrumentation*
  • Empyema, Tuberculous / complications*
  • Empyema, Tuberculous / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pleural Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Pleural Diseases / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents