Tuberculosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Tuberculosis, including details on symptoms, causes, treatment, pulmonary, mycobacterium.

Expansile pneumonia in children caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis: clinical, radiological, and bronchoscopic appearances.

Goussard P, Gie RP, Kling S, Beyers N

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, PO Box 19063, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa. pgouss@sun.ac.za

A cohort of 24 children with expansile pneumonia caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is described in mostly HIV-noninfected children (n = 22). The children presented with nonresolving pneumonia and a swinging fever (83%). On chest radiography, they had dense opacification with bulging fissures mainly in the upper lobes (75%). On computed tomography, the lobes are consolidated, with areas of liquefacation. Other features visible are enlarged mediastinal lymph adenopathy with ring enhancement (100%), cavities (63%), and tracheal compression (71%). On bronchoscopy, bronchi were obstructed by more than 75% in 20 (83%) of cases. Lymph gland enucleation was required in 42% of cases. Phrenic nerve palsy was present in 3 children, of whom 2 underwent diaphragmatic plication. The children received standard antituberculous therapy, to which prednisone (2 mg/kg/day) was added for 1 month. The mortality was 4% after 6 months of therapy.

Published 3 February 2005 in Pediatr Pulmonol, 38(6): 451-5.
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