S Ben Saad1, B Melki2, L Douik El Gharbi3, F Soraya4, N Chaouch5, H Aouina6, J Cherif7, A Hamzaoui8, A Merghli9, H Daghfous2, F Tritar2. 1. Service de pneumologie C, hôpital Abderrahmne Mami, Tunis, Tunisie; Université el Manar, Tunis, Tunisie. Electronic address: soumayalabizertine@yahoo.fr. 2. Service de pneumologie C, hôpital Abderrahmne Mami, Tunis, Tunisie; Université el Manar, Tunis, Tunisie. 3. Service de pneumologie D, hôpital Abderrahmne Mami, Tunis, Tunisie; Université el Manar, Tunis, Tunisie. 4. Service de pneumologie IV, hôpital Abderrahmne Mami, Tunis, Tunisie; Université el Manar, Tunis, Tunisie. 5. Service de pneumologie II, hôpital Abderrahmne Mami, Tunis, Tunisie; Université el Manar, Tunis, Tunisie. 6. Service de pneumologie, hôpital Charles-Nicolle, Tunis, Tunisie; Université el Manar, Tunis, Tunisie. 7. Service de pneumologie, hôpital La Rabta, Tunis, Tunisie; Université el Manar, Tunis, Tunisie. 8. Service de pneumologie B, hôpital Abderrahmne Mami, Tunis, Tunisie; Université el Manar, Tunis, Tunisie. 9. Service de chirurgie thoracique, hôpital Abderrahmne Mami, Tunis, Tunisie; Université el Manar, Tunis, Tunisie.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pneumothorax is a serious complication of cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to describe clinical futures, to highlight challenges of its management. METHODS: A retrospective multicentric and descriptive study including 65 patients treated for PT (1999-2015) was conducted to figure out clinical futures and its work-up. RESULTS: The mean age was 37.8 years. The sex ratio was 3.6. Smoking history and incarceration were noted respectively in 67.6 and 15.3% of cases. Acute respiratory failure and cachexia were reported in 26.1 and 10.7% of cases. The PT was inaugural in 41.5% of cases. Pyo-pneumothorax was noted in 69.2% of cases. The duration of antituberculous treatment ranged from 6 to 15 months for susceptible TB and was at least 12 months for resistant TB (4 cases). Thoracic drainage was performed in 90.7% patients. Its average length was 47 days. The drain drop was noted in 20% of cases. Bronchopleural fistula was diagnosed in 6 cases and pleural infection in 5 of cases. Surgery treatment was necessary in 6 cases. Mean time to surgery was 171 days. Six patients had pleural decortication associated with pulmonary resection in 4 cases. Persistent chronic PT was noted in 12.6% and chronic respiratory failure in 3% of cases and death in 15.3% of cases. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of the PT is often easy. Its treatment encounters multiples difficulties. Duration of thoracic drainage and anti-TB treatment are usually long. Surgery is proposed lately.
BACKGROUND: Pneumothorax is a serious complication of cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to describe clinical futures, to highlight challenges of its management. METHODS: A retrospective multicentric and descriptive study including 65 patients treated for PT (1999-2015) was conducted to figure out clinical futures and its work-up. RESULTS: The mean age was 37.8 years. The sex ratio was 3.6. Smoking history and incarceration were noted respectively in 67.6 and 15.3% of cases. Acute respiratory failure and cachexia were reported in 26.1 and 10.7% of cases. The PT was inaugural in 41.5% of cases. Pyo-pneumothorax was noted in 69.2% of cases. The duration of antituberculous treatment ranged from 6 to 15 months for susceptible TB and was at least 12 months for resistant TB (4 cases). Thoracic drainage was performed in 90.7% patients. Its average length was 47 days. The drain drop was noted in 20% of cases. Bronchopleural fistula was diagnosed in 6 cases and pleural infection in 5 of cases. Surgery treatment was necessary in 6 cases. Mean time to surgery was 171 days. Six patients had pleural decortication associated with pulmonary resection in 4 cases. Persistent chronic PT was noted in 12.6% and chronic respiratory failure in 3% of cases and death in 15.3% of cases. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of the PT is often easy. Its treatment encounters multiples difficulties. Duration of thoracic drainage and anti-TB treatment are usually long. Surgery is proposed lately.