ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: We report 10 cases of active endobronchial tuberculosis in female patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Diagnosis of endobronchial tuberculosis was established by demonstrating the presence of Koch bacilli in the bronchial washings or at pathology examination of a bronchial mucosa biopsy. Follow-up was available for 5 of the 10 cases. RESULTS: These women were aged 19 to 756 years. Clinical signs included persistent cough (n=10), wheezing (n=10), dyspnea (n=5), dysphonia (n=4) and fever (n=8). Chest x-ray was normal in 4 cases but showed condensation in 4 others with infiltration of the superior lobe in 2 cases. Bronchoscopy findings were characteristic with a thick layer of white caseum on the mucosa. Koch bacilli were found in all bronchial wash specimens. Pathology examination confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculosis in 5 of the 10 cases.
