Endoscopy in the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis and cancer of the respiratory system

Abstract

For 25 years (1986—2011) in endoscopy unit of the branch of the 1 FBU «3 TSVKG Russian Ministry of Defense n. a. A.A.Vishnevskiy — «initially examined 18 169 patients admitted on the various forms of pulmonary tuberculosis. In the bronchial study tuberculosis of bronchus was diagnosed in 1544 patients, representing 8,5% of all TB patients. Complicated bronchial tuberculosis (infiltrative-ulcerative and broncho-fistulezny TB) were diagnosed in 382 (24,8%) patients. Neoplastic process in bronchi was detected in 145 (0,8%) patients, including the central cancer was found in 109, peripheral — at 36. An increase in tuberculosis and cancer of the respiratory system requires medical endoscopists to targeted search for endoscopic studies, not only the specific features of tuberculous bronchial lesions, but also the cancer process in them. In the case of detection of pathological changes in the pleura and lung parenchyma should be preferred thoracoscopy.