[Diagnostic difficulty in bronchopulmonary tuberculous pseudotumor]

Pleural Pseudo-Tumour Tuberculosis

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SARS-CoV-2 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis coinfection: A case of unusual bronchoesophageal fistula

Tuberculosis is a treatable and curable bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that most often affects the lung. Since 2018, it has become the leading cause of death from infectious diseases. Tuberculosis is a public health problem in French Guiana. The majority of reported cases are diagnosed among people coming from neighboring Latin American countries. Since March 2020, French Guiana has been affected, like the rest of the world, by the new infectious disease COVID19 linked to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. We here report a case of COVID19 and pulmonary tuberculosis coinfection. COVID19 pneumonia was the mode of discovery of the tuberculosis. In the present case, the tuberculosis appeared as parenchymal and endobronchial pseudotumoral lesion, which has been complicated by a bronchoesophageal fistula. The evolution of the parenchymal, endobronchial lesion and bronchoesophageal fistula was favorable after two months of anti-tuberculosis treatment.

[Pseudotumoral bronchopulmonary tuberculosis mimicking cancer in an immunocompetent patient]

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by tubercle bacillus infection. It can affect all of the body's organs. Pulmonary tuberculosis accounts for a little more than 50% of its occurrences. It is a public health problem worldwide, and developing countries in particular. Pseudotumoral bronchopulmonary tuberculosis is a particular form of tuberculosis in immunocompetent subject. It can manifests as a bronchial or pulmonary lesion, suggesting a neoplasia visible on chest CT scan or bronchoscopy. This similarity can confuse clinicians, making diagnosis challenging and requiring the use of invasive diagnostic techniques, since traditional means are often lacking. This increases burden of care and causes delayed treatment. This study aims to educate clinicians about this particular and uncommon form of tuberculosis, which should be suspected in patient with radiological findings compatible with the disease, especially since they live in a highly endemic country. Therapy and treatment duration are the same as for common forms of tuberculosis.

[Tuberculous pseudotumour, a challenging diagnosis]

INTRODUCTION

The pseudotumorous form of tuberculosis is a rare entity. Whatever its location, it can simulate neoplasia by its radiological and/or endoscopic appearances. We highlight the diagnostic difficulties associated with this type of presentation.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of inpatient records from 2003 to 2016 in the pneumology department of La Rabta Hospital to identify cases of thoracic tuberculous pseudo-tumor.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients were identified. The median age was 41 years and their symptomatology was dominated by cough and general debility. All had abnormal radiology with 10 cases of suspect lesions. Fibre-optic bronchoscopy revealed endobronchial abnormalities in 11 cases. The median overall diagnostic delay was 97 days. The diagnosis was confirmed bacteriologically in five cases, histologically in 14 cases and based on clinical presumption in one case. The progression was favourable: 13 patients have been declared cured and four patients are still undergoing treatment.

CONCLUSION

Making a positive diagnosis of thoracic tuberculous pseudotumour can be difficult, as bacteriological samples are often negative. This can lead to a significant delay in diagnosis and treatment.

[The role of imaging in thoracic tuberculosis]

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease mostly due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is frequent in developing countries and its incidence is rising in developed countries. Lungs are the most involved organs of the chest but other structures can be affected. Imaging is fundamental in the management of the disease. Confirmation of diagnosis can be made only by bacteriologic and/or histologic exams. The first approach of diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and chest X-ray signs. Radiologic signs depend on patient's age, his immune status and his previous contact with M. tuberculosis. Conventional chest X-ray remains the first-line exam to realize. It can suggest the diagnosis on the appearance and location of the lesions. CT scan is recommended for the positive diagnosis in case of discrepancy between clinical and radiographic signs, as for the diagnosis of parenchymal, vascular, lymph nodes, pleural, parietal or mediastinal complications. It is also essential for the evaluation of parenchyma sequelae. MRI and PET-scan have limited indications. The purpose of this article is to illustrate different radiological forms of chest tuberculosis, its sequelae and complications and to highlight the role of each imaging technique in the patient's management.