Middle lobe syndrome due to Tuberculous etiology A series of 12 cases.

ABSTRACT

The term right middle lobe syndrome (RMLS) is often used in clinical practice though it has no consistent definition. Inflammatory lesion, malignant tumors followed by bronchiectasis are considered as the most common etiological factors for RMLS. Here we describe 12 cases of RMLS due to tuberculous etiology diagnosed over a period of 6.5 years at our Institute. They were diagnosed using conventional methods and responded to anti-tubercular treatment with favourable outcome. The cases are being presented here to highlight the fact that tuberculosis, though not frequently reported in published literature, is an important etiological factor and must be considered for differential diagnosis when RMLS is evaluated particularly in regions where the prevalence of tuberculosis is high as it responds to anti-tubercular chemotherapy remarkably.