Surgery and pleuro-pulmonary tuberculosis: a scientific literature review

Measures to accelerate recovery from stage III tuberculous empyema: tuberculous empyema surgical and recovery methods

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication (VATD) and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in patients with stage III tuberculous empyema.

METHODS

The 360 participants were divided into four groups according to the treatment received: thoracotomy decortication (TD) + traditional recovery procedures (TRP), TD + ERAS, VATD + TRP, and VATD + ERAS. We evaluated the effects of the treatment modalities on various intraoperative and postoperative outcome measures. Multivariate analysis was then performed to identify risk factors associated with increased postoperative the length of hospital (LOS).

RESULTS

There were significant differences between the TD and VATS groups in terms of the duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, postoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), LOS, and pain levels. The use of ERAS also showed significant effects in certain outcome measures. There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative complications among the groups. The use of VATD and ERAS procedures, and preoperative antituberculosis therapy, was inversely associated with the LOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of VATD and ERAS procedures in patients with stage III tuberculous empyema can significantly reduce the LOS and improve patient outcomes in a safe and effective manner.

Pleural Tuberculoma Presenting as a Solitary Pleural Mass in a Child

Pleural tuberculoma is often observed during treatment for tuberculous pleurisy; however, this condition is rarely found as a solitary pleural nodule in patients without a history of tuberculosis treatment, and no cases have been reported in children. We report a case of a 12-year-old boy with pleural tuberculoma presenting as a solitary mass. He had a fever and cough that prompted chest radiography, which revealed a mass in the right lung. Symptoms improved with antibacterial medication; however, computed tomography (CT) revealed a 4.5-cm pleural mass that partially bordered the ribs. CT-guided biopsy revealed a necrotizing granuloma, but the real-time polymerase chain reaction result for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was negative. Malignant diseases, such as osteosarcoma, could not be ruled out; thus, surgical resection was performed, and pleural tuberculoma was diagnosed. The patient was treated with antituberculosis drugs for 6 months, and no recurrence was observed in the following 2 years. Pleural tuberculomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of solitary pleural tumors, especially in countries where tuberculosis is endemic.

Otorhinolaryngologic Manifestations of Tuberculosis: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical and Diagnostic Challenges

Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant global health issue, predominantly affecting the lungs but also capable of involving the otorhinolaryngologic (ear, nose, and throat) regions. This comprehensive review explores the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, management strategies, and public health implications of otorhinolaryngologic TB. The disease's diverse clinical manifestations, such as chronic ear discharge, nasal obstruction, and hoarseness, often mimic other common conditions, complicating diagnosis and delaying treatment. Diagnostic confirmation requires a combination of clinical assessment, laboratory tests, and imaging techniques, each with inherent limitations. Effective management necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, integrating medical and surgical interventions tailored to individual patient needs. Potential complications, including airway obstruction and hearing loss, highlight the importance of timely and appropriate treatment. The review underscores the critical role of public health measures in TB control. It also identifies emerging trends in diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing the need for ongoing research to improve patient outcomes and contribute to the global effort to control and eventually eradicate TB. This review aims to give healthcare providers a deeper understanding of otorhinolaryngologic TB, enhancing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and improving patient care.

The Trend, Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Tuberculosis Undergoing Thoracic Surgery in the Kyrgyz Republic between 2017 and 2021

Surgery has played an important role in managing complicated tuberculosis in former Soviet Union countries, including the Kyrgyz Republic. However, published information is limited. This study aimed to document the trend, characteristics and outcomes of tuberculosis patients who underwent thoracic surgery, using routinely collected data. Between 2017 and 2021, 4-7% of tuberculosis patients in the Kyrgyz Republic underwent thoracic surgery in two centres in Bishkek and Osh. In 2021, case records were retrieved in 264 (78%) of 340 patients undergoing thoracic surgery in the country. The most common indications for surgery were pleural exudate/empyema in 127 (44%) and tuberculoma in 83 (32%). Most patients (73%) underwent surgery within 30 days of starting TB treatment. Two-thirds of patients underwent radical surgery, and surgical outcomes were excellent in 99% of patients with one death. Post-operatively, 63 (23%) patients had no TB detected by the histology, with the two most common specified conditions being lung cancer and pulmonary hydatid disease. TB treatment was stopped in these patients. Of the 201 patients with confirmed TB after surgery, TB-treatment success was documented in 163 (81%), died/failure/lost to follow-up in 10 (5%) and not evaluated in 28 (14%). This study shows that thoracic surgery is feasible, safe and effective in the routine programme setting. Recommendations are made to strengthen referral and monitoring systems.

Immunocyte count combined with CT features for distinguishing pulmonary tuberculoma from malignancy among non-calcified solitary pulmonary solid nodules

Background

Tuberculoma is the most common type of surgically removed benign solid solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) and can lead to a high risk of misdiagnoses for clinicians. This study aimed to discuss the value of the immunocyte count combined with computed tomography (CT) features in distinguishing pulmonary tuberculoma from malignancy among non-calcified solid SPNs.

Methods

Forty-eight patients with pulmonary tuberculoma and 52 patients with lung cancer were retrospectively included in our study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to screen the independent predictors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to investigate the validity of the predictive model.

Results

The univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that a coarse margin, vacuole, lobulation, pleural indentation, cluster of differentiation (CD)3⁺ T-lymphocyte count, and CD4⁺ T-lymphocyte count were independent predictors for distinguishing pulmonary tuberculoma from malignancy. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the area under the ROC curve of the model comprising the CD3⁺ T-lymphocyte count were 79.2%, 75%, 74.5%, and 0.845 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.759-0.910], respectively, and those of the model involving the CD4⁺ T-lymphocyte count were 77.1%, 78.8%, 77.1%, and 0.857 (95% CI, 0.773-0.919), respectively.

Conclusions

Immunocyte count combined with CT features is efficient in distinguishing pulmonary tuberculoma from malignancy among non-calcified solid SPNs and has applicable clinical value.

MicroRNAs as Biomarkers of Active Pulmonary TB Course

The spread of drug-resistant forms of TB dictates the need for surgical treatment in the complex of anti-tuberculosis measures in Russia. Most often, surgical intervention is performed in the case of pulmonary tuberculoma or fibrotic cavitary tuberculosis (FCT). This study is devoted to the search for biomarkers that characterize the course of disease in surgical TB patients. It is assumed that such biomarkers will help the surgeon decide on the timing of the planned operation. A number of serum microRNAs, potential regulators of inflammation and fibrosis in TB, selected on the basis of PCR-Array analysis, were considered as biomarkers. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and receiver operating curves (ROC) were used to verify Array data and to estimate the ability of microRNAs (miRNAs) to discriminate between healthy controls, tuberculoma patients, and FCT patients. The study showed that miR-155, miR-191 and miR-223 were differentially expressed in serum of tuberculoma with “decay” and tuberculoma without “decay” patients. Another combination (miR-26a, miR-191, miR-222 and miR-320) forms a set to differentiate between tuberculoma with “decay” and FCT. Patients with tuberculoma without “decay” diagnosis differ from those with FCT in serum expression of miR-26a, miR-155, miR-191, miR-222 and miR-223. Further investigations are required to evaluate these sets on a larger population so as to set cut-off values that could be applied in laboratory diagnosis.

The use of diaphragmatic flap for the main bronchus stump reinforcement in right-sided pneumonectomy performed for destructive pulmonary tuberculosis with drug resistance of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>

INTRODUCTION. Drug-resistant tuberculosis with subtotal and total lesion of one of the lungs is the most common indication for pneumonectomy. This operation is accompanied by a high risk of postoperative complications, among which the most dangerous is pleural empyema with bronchopleural fistula. In this regard, the prevention of this complication is an extremely important task.The OBJECTIVE was to study the results of using a diaphragmatic flap to prevent the development of right main bronchus stump insufficiency with bronchopleural fistula in patients with destructive pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS AND MATERIALS. A retrospective study was carried out for the period from 2015 to 2019. The study included 13 patients who underwent right-sided pneumonectomy with diaphragmoplasty of the right main bronchus stump. Indications for diaphragmoplasty were: persistent bacterial excretion at the time of surgery, pre-existing bronchopleural fistula, intraoperative pleural contamination, progressive course of a specific process.RESULTS. The postoperative period was smooth in 10 (77 %) patients. Postoperative complications developed in 3 (23 %) patients: in 1 (7.7 %) case, there was right main bronchus stump insufficiency with bronchopleural fistula and in 2 (15.3 %) cases, there were right main bronchus stump insufficiency without bronchopleural fistula. A satisfactory immediate result was achieved in 12 (92.3 %) patients.CONCLUSION. The diaphragmatic flap is a reliable material for plasty of the right main bronchus stump in order to prevent the formation of bronchopleural fistula in destructive pulmonary tuberculosis.

Subsequent Antituberculous Treatment May Not Be Mandatory Among Surgically Resected Culture-Negative Pulmonary Granulomas: A Retrospective Nationwide Multicenter Cohort Study

Background

Histologic diagnosis of granuloma is often considered clinically equivalent to a definite diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in endemic areas. Optimal management of surgically resected granulomatous inflammation in lung with negative mycobacterial culture results, however, remains unclear.

Methods

From 7 medical institutions in northern, middle, and southern Taiwan between January 2010 and December 2018, patients whose surgically resected pulmonary nodule(s) had histological features suggestive of TB but negative microbiological study results and who received no subsequent anti-TB treatment were identified retrospectively. All patients were followed up for 2 years until death or active TB disease was diagnosed.

Results

A total of 116 patients were enrolled during the study period. Among them, 61 patients (52.6%) were clinically asymptomatic, and 36 (31.0%) patients were immunocompromised. Solitary pulmonary nodule accounted for 44 (39.6%) of all cases. The lung nodules were removed by wedge resection in 95 (81.9%), lobectomy in 17 (14.7%), and segmentectomy in 4 (3.4%) patients. The most common histological feature was granulomatous inflammation (n=116 [100%]), followed by caseous necrosis (n=39 [33.6%]). During follow-up (218.4 patient-years), none of the patients developed active TB.

Conclusions

In patients with surgically resected culture-negative pulmonary granulomas, the incidence rate of subsequent active TB is low. Watchful monitoring along with regular clinical, radiological, and microbiological follow-up, instead of routine anti-TB treatment, may also be a reasonable option.

Comparison of pediatric empyema secondary to tuberculosis or non-tuberculosis community-acquired pneumonia in those who underwent surgery in high TB burden areas

INTRODUCTION

Tuberculous empyema (TE) in children is common in high-TB burden and medical resource-limited areas. However, studies that evaluate the characteristics of TE in children are sparse. This study aimed to analyze the clinical features of pediatric TE receiving surgical intervention.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of children with empyema secondary to community-acquired pneumonia who underwent surgery in our institution. The clinical characteristics were compared between TE and empyema secondary non-tuberculosis infection (non-tuberculosis empyema, NTE).

RESULTS

One hundred patients were included (27 with TE and 73 with NTE). Stage 3 empyema occupied 81.5% and 45.2% of TE and NTE in this study. The TE children had older age, longer duration of illness, and milder symptoms. Pleural fluid culture was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 7.4% of patients with TE. Lymph node enlargement, lymph node calcification, and pleural nodules presented in TE with high specificity (93.2%, 98.6%, and 98.5%) but low sensitivity (33.3%, 14.8%, and 29.6%) on CT scan. Thoracoscopy surgery was performed in 14 (51.9%) in TE and 39 (53.4%) in NTE. Postoperative chest-tube indwelling time was longer (7.85 ± 5.00 vs. 4.89 ± 1.81 days, p < .001), and more patients had incomplete lung expansion after 3 months in TE.

CONCLUSION

Tuberculosis infection should be screened in management of children with empyema in high-TB burden areas. Pediatric TE usually presented at older age and with milder respiratory symptoms. Pleural biopsy during surgery is often necessary to confirm the cause of infection. Thoracotomy is still required in some pediatric TE or NTE with delayed treatment in medical resource-limited area.

Solitary pleural tuberculoma diagnosed by thoracoscopic surgical resection

Tuberculoma is a manifestation of pleural tuberculosis. Although the clinical manifestation of tuberculoma has been widely reported, the pathogenesis of this condition still remains unclear. An abnormal shadow was detected on the chest radiograph of a 44-year-old man with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Computed tomography revealed a well-defined, elliptical 44 mm nodule located in the right posterior thoracic cavity. Thoracoscopic surgery was performed to rule out malignant tumors. Although loose adhesions were observed throughout the thoracic cavity, a nodule was found between the visceral pleura and parietal pleura. En bloc resection was performed, and the patient was pathologically diagnosed with tuberculoma. An acid-fast bacterium culture was negative, and the patient’s recovery was uneventful without chemotherapy. Surgical resection should be considered to rule out malignancy, because tuberculomas are difficult to distinguish from malignant pleural tumors.

Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Patients with Tuberculosis Receiving Adjunctive Surgery in Uzbekistan

Surgical interventions are performed as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment in Uzbekistan in 10–12% of diagnosed tuberculosis (TB) patients. In this study among patients with respiratory TB who had surgical interventions in Republican Specialized Scientific-Practical Medical Centre of Phthisiology and Pulmonology of Uzbekistan (RSSPMCPP) from January to May 2017, we describe (i) reasons and types of surgical intervention, (ii) post-surgical complications, (iii) histological diagnosis before and after surgery, and (iv) treatment outcomes. There were 101 patients included in the analysis (mean age 36 years; 51% male; 71% lived in rural areas). The main indications for surgical intervention included pulmonary tuberculoma (40%), fibrocavitary, or cavernous pulmonary TB (23%) and massive hemoptysis (20%). Pulmonary resections were the most frequent surgical procedures: segmentectomy (41%), lobectomy or bilobectomy (19%), and combined resection (17%). Ten patients (9%) suffered post-surgery complications. According to histological examination after surgery, TB was confirmed in 81 (80%) patients. For the other 20 patients, the confirmed diagnoses were: lung cancer (n = 6), echinococcosis (n = 5), post-TB fibrosis (n = 5), non-tuberculous pleurisy (n = 2), hamartoma (n = 1), and pneumonia (n = 1). The majority of patients (94%), who underwent surgery, were considered successfully treated. In conclusion, adjunctive surgical therapy can be an option for TB treatment, especially in cases of complicated TB.

Modus Operandi: Irrigation of the Modified Eloesser Flap in Heterogeneous Suppurative Lung Pathologies

Background

Refractory empyemas with collapsed lung and persistent bronchopleural fistulas pose significant problems to thoracic surgeons and impose a substantial burden in terms of morbidity and mortality. The modified Eloesser flap procedure is a useful palliative option for clearing infections. Herein, we present our experiences with the modified Eloesser flap procedure in mixed suppurative lung pathologies with a new technique of irrigation for persistent infection.

Methods

A retrospective review was carried out of 56 patients who underwent the modified Eloesser flap with continuous irrigation at Katurba Medical College. These patients had severe morbidities and were not suitable for major thoracic resection surgery, and electively underwent modified Eloesser flap surgery. Regular follow-up was done at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Patients with persistent infections were treated with our continuous irrigation technique.

Results

The most important finding was that all patients with active sputum acid-fast bacilli-positive findings became sputum smear-negative during the first month of follow- up. Half (50%) of the patients had a patent stoma. Eleven patients had persistent infections, necessitating continuous irrigation. The infection was fully cleared after 1 month in 9 patients, while 2 patients required second irrigation and continued to receive follow-up. In the remaining 50% of the patients, the stoma closed completely, and the lung expanded fully.

Conclusion

The modified Eloesser flap is a simple procedure. In suppurative pathologies, infections were well controlled and the general condition of the patients improved. Our continuous irrigation method showed promising results in patients with persistent purulent discharge.

Predictors of Postoperative Urinary Retention Following Pulmonary Resection

To identify predictors of postoperative urinary retention (POUR) following pulmonary resection. Retrospective chart review from a single academic institution of all patients who underwent pulmonary resection between June 2004 and January 2020. The surgical procedures consisted of pneumonectomy, lobectomy and sublobar resections. The primary outcome was occurrence of POUR within 30 days following surgery, defined as painful and palpable bladder, when the patient is unable to pass any urine, and requiring catheterization. A total of 6004 consecutive patients underwent pulmonary resection among which 306 pneumonectomies (5.1%), 3467 lobectomies (57.7%) and 2231 sublobar resection (37.2%). The surgical approach was a thoracotomy (n = 3546; 59.1%), a video-assisted [VATS] (n = 2075; 34.5%) or a robot-assisted thoracoscopy [RATS] (n = 383; 6.4%). POUR occurred in 301 cases (5%). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, male gender (OR 2.30 [1.70-3.17]; P < 0.001), age (OR 1.02 [1.01-1.03]; P < 0.001), benign prostatic hyperplasia (OR 7.08 [4.57-10.83]; P < 0.001), and COPD (OR 1.52 [1.13-2.01]; P = 0.004) were significant predictors of POUR. Conversely, VATS (OR 0.62 [0.46-0.83]; P = 0.001) had a protective effect on the occurrence of POUR. In a large single-center study, we disclosed significant clinical predictors of POUR after pulmonary resection, including age, sex, comorbidities and surgical approach. Prospective studies are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of chemoprophylaxis by perioperative α-blockers in order to prevent POUR.

Successful Percutaneous Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair in a Patient With Mediastinal Shift

Mediastinal shift often induces deformation of the esophagus and the cardiac chamber. We describe the case of percutaneous mitral edge-to-edge valve repair in a patient with mediastinal shift. Esophagography enabled the advancement of the transesophageal echocardiography probe without esophageal damage, and transesophageal echocardiography successfully guided the percutaneous mitral edge-to-edge valve repair procedure. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.)

Post-Tuberculosis (TB) Treatment: The Role of Surgery and Rehabilitation

Even though the majority of tuberculosis (TB) programmes consider their work completed when a patient is ‘successfully’ cured, patients often continue to suffer with post-treatment or surgical sequelae. This review focuses on describing the available evidence with regard to the diagnosis and management of post-treatment and surgical sequelae (pulmonary rehabilitation). We carried out a non-systematic literature review based on a PubMed search using specific key-words, including various combinations of ‘TB’, ‘MDR-TB’, ‘XDR-TB’, ‘surgery’, ‘functional evaluation’, ‘sequelae’ and ‘pulmonary rehabilitation’. References of the most important papers were retrieved to improve the search accuracy. We identified the main areas of interest to describe the topic as follows: 1) ‘Surgery’, described through observational studies and reviews, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, IPD (individual data meta-analyses), and official guidelines (GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) or not GRADE-based); 2) Post-TB treatment functional evaluation; and 3) Pulmonary rehabilitation interventions. We also highlighted the priority areas for research for the three main areas of interest. The collection of high-quality standardized variables would allow advances in the understanding of the need for, and effectiveness of, pulmonary rehabilitation at both the individual and the programmatic level. The initial evidence supports the importance of the adequate functional evaluation of these patients, which is necessary to identify those who will benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation.

New perspectives on difficult-to-treat tuberculosis based on old therapeutic approaches

Tuberculosis (TB) is an important clinical and public health issue worldwide. Despite improved treatment success rates following the introduction of antibiotics in daily clinical practice, the expected decline in incidence has been hampered by HIV epidemics and multi- and extensively drug-resistant TB. During the pre-antibiotic era, TB therapies were mainly based on improving hygiene conditions, strengthening the immune system, and targeting the rest of the affected lungs with invasive techniques. Detailed knowledge of old non-pharmacological therapies might support physicians and researchers in the identification of new solutions for difficult-to-treat patients. We performed a narrative literature review on the main old therapeutic options prescribed for patients with TB. The main recommendations and contraindications of sanatorium therapies (i.e., bed rest, fresh air, sunlight) and pulmonary collapse techniques are reviewed, evaluating their physiological basis and their impact on patient outcomes. We report studies describing new interventional pulmonary and surgical techniques and assess new perspectives based on old medical and surgical treatments, whose potential implementation could help complicated patients.

Validating the surgical indication value of the LTB-S classification system for drug resistant tuberculosis

BACKGROUND

Currently there is no guideline based on preoperative clinical parameters for assessing the prognosis of the adjunctive surgery for drug-resistant tuberculosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 138 patients who had undergone surgical resection as a treatment for drug- resistant tuberculosis after 24 months. Four clinical parameters on lesion type, treatment history, body physiological status, and surgery approach were evaluated. Categorical preoperative clinical parameters were analyzed by ordinal logistic regression model when considering postoperative complications as outcomes ordered in terms of severity. Statistically significant parameters were then combined in a single classification system for predicting the outcomes of the adjunctive surgery.

FINDINGS

Diffused, progressive bilateral lesions, or active/progressive extra pulmonary tuberculosis (L3), and history of less than 2 months treatment before surgery (T3) were the strongest predicative parameters for postoperative complications and for surgery failure. Classification systems based on the four parameters were found to have a statistically significant effect on postoperative complications and postoperative efficacy. 24- month follow up indicated a high cure rate (above 95.5%) among patients without T3, L3, or severe physiological complications (B3).

INTERPRETATION

A classification system based on objective clinical parameters showed predicative value for the prognosis of the adjunctive surgery and could guide management of drug-resistant Tuberculosis.

Coexistence of lung adenocarcinoma and pulmonary tuberculosis within a single lesion: A rare case report

RATIONALE

Pulmonary tuberculosis and lung adenocarcinoma are highly prevalent pulmonary diseases associated with high mortality. However, the coexistence of lung cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis is rare. Further, the morphological features of lung cancer with coexisting pulmonary tuberculosis are similar to that of lung cancer without pulmonary tuberculosis, even though the lesion is predominantly cavity. For these reasons, the diagnosis in patients with coexisting lung cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis could be delayed until the advanced stage, and therefore, prognosis in these patients is worse compared with that of lung cancer patients without coexisting pulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore, early diagnosis of the condition is essential for initiating timely and suitable treatment.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 67-year-old man was detected abnormal finding on chest CT performed outside the hospital during health screening without significant symptom.

DIAGNOSES

Chest CT revealed a 3.2, irregular, enhancing cavitary mass in right lower lobe of lung and PET-CT revealed significant uptake of 18 FDG by the cavitary mass, which was suggestive of lung cancer. Pathology results confirmed a diagnosis of coexisting lung adenocarcinoma and tuberculosis.

INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOME

The patient underwent a right lower lobectomy. No significant complications occurred in a 24 month post-surgery follow-up period LESSONS:: Although rare, the coexistence of lung adenocarcinoma and tuberculosis within a single lesion can occur. Therefore, early diagnosis of such a lesion is essential to improve the prognosis in affected patients.

Mitral Valve Surgery in a Patient 50 Years after a Pneumonectomy

Background  Patients who survive long after pneumonectomy may develop heart valve disease. The consecutive operations can be complex because of the challenging anatomical conditions and the limited physiologic reserves of the patient.

Case Presentation  The subject is a 78-year-old patient who underwent a left-sided pneumonectomy for a metastasized testicular tumor 50 years ago. At 32 and 37 years postpneumonectomy, mitral regurgitation was manifested, and valve repair was performed. Bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve reconstruction became necessary 44 years postpneumonectomy. The patient was fully recovered.

Conclusion  In case of relevant heart valve disease after pneumonectomies, heart valve surgeries are feasible.

History of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) parallels the history of human development from the Stone Age to the present. TB continues to be in the top 10 causes of global human mortality over that period. This article highlights the history of pulmonary TB from the onset of human existence to the present. Despite its long history, TB was slowly identified as a major cause of disease, and defined causation and significant treatment strategies advances over the past 150 years. TB remains a major challenge for definitive global prevention and cure. This article gives a brief overview of the history of TB.

Surgical Resection in the Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Surgery for tuberculosis is becoming more relevant today. This article discusses the main indications, contraindications, features of operations, and perioperative period. This information is useful for practicing surgeons and specialists in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Contemporary outcomes of surgical management of complex thoracic infections

Background

Surgery plays an important role in the management of complex thoracic infections (CTIs). We aimed to describe the contemporary surgical outcomes of CTIs.

Methods

The 2014-2017 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was queried for patients with the following procedures: bilobectomy, decortication, lung release, lobectomy, thoracoscopic lobectomy, thoracoscopic pleurodesis, thoracoscopic wedge resection, thoracoscopic biopsy, thoracoscopy, thoracotomy, thoracotomy with wedge resection, thoracotomy with decortication, and thoracotomy with lobectomy. Patients were classified into: drainage procedures (DP) and lung resection (LR). Descriptive statistics and univariate/multivariate analysis were executed. A P value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

A total of 1,275 patients (30.3%) underwent surgical management for a CTI. Nine hundred and seven patients (71.1%) underwent a DP, and 368 patients (28.9%) underwent a LR. A thoracic surgeon performed 64% and 79% of cases in the DP and LR groups, respectively. On univariate analysis, the patients in the LR group were less likely to be male, diabetic, active smokers, dyspneic on exertion, hypertensive, malnourished, or American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) >3. There was no difference in overall postoperative complications, re-intubation, or reoperation between groups. The patients in the LR group were less likely to develop sepsis or respiratory failure. There was no difference in 30-day mortality between groups (5.3% vs. 3.8%, P=0.26). The total length of stay was 13.82±10.17 and 8.7±15.05 days, in the DP and LR groups, respectively (P=0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed increased risk of 30-day mortality was associated with age, preoperative steroid use, renal failure, leukocytosis, pulmonary embolism, and sepsis.

Conclusions

CTI's are a common indication for thoracic surgical management. This contemporary, national sampling demonstrates that approximately one third of identified cases were associated with a LR. These cases demonstrated a comparable morbidity and mortality with surgical DP, but shorter hospital stays. To aid in the management of these complex disease processes, early consultation of a multidisciplinary management service for these patients should be considered. Furthermore, the appropriate use of LR for infectious etiologies may lead to safer postoperative outcomes than previously thought.

Outcome of untreated lung nodules with histological but no microbiological evidence of tuberculosis

Background

The outcome of lung nodule(s) with histopathological findings suggestive of tuberculosis (TB) but lack of microbiologic confirmation remains unclear. Whether these patients require anti-TB treatment remains unknown. The aim of the study was to compare the risk of active TB within 4 years in untreated patients with histological findings but no microbiological evidences suggestive of TB.

Methods

From January 2008 to June 2013, patients with either solitary or multiple lung nodules having histological findings but no microbiological evidences suggestive of TB were identified from a medical center in Taiwan and were followed for 4 years unless they died or developed active TB.

Results

A total of 107 patients were identified. Among them, 54 (51%) were clinical asymptomatic. Biopsy histology showed granulomatous inflammation in 106 (99%), and caseous necrosis was present in 55 (51%) cases. Forty (37%) patients received anti-TB treatment, and 21 (53%) of them had adverse events, including 13 initially asymptomatic patients. Anti-TB treatment was favored in patients with caseous necrosis, whereas observation was preferred in subjects whose nodules were surgically removed. Only 1 case in the untreated group developed culture-confirmed active pulmonary TB during 4-year follow-up (1 case per 251.2 patient-years). None of the 16 cases having co-existing histologic finding of malignancy became incident TB case within a follow-up of 56.7 patient-years.

Conclusions

In patients having lung nodules with only histologic features suggestive of TB, the incidence rate of developing active TB was low. Risk of adverse events and benefit from immediate treatment should be carefully considered.

Efficacy of regional arterial embolization before pleuropulmonary resection in 32 patients with tuberculosis-destroyed lung

Background

Treatment of tuberculous-destroyed lung (TDL) with pleuropulmonary resection is challenging. Pulmonary hemorrhage is a frequent complication of this surgical procedure. Continuous efforts have been made to investigate clinical procedures that may reduce intraoperative bleeding effectively. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility and safety of regional arterial embolization before pleuropulmonary resection in patients with TDL.

Methods

The clinical data of 32 patients with TDL were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. These patients were admitted to the hospital between July 2009 and November 2016. All of the patients had moderate to massive hemoptysis and received regional arterial embolization in affected areas. Then, these patients underwent pleuropulmonary resection within 1 week to 2 months after embolization.

Results

The results showed that 25 patients (78.1%) had bronchial artery, and all patients had non-bronchial systemic artery found in affected areas. Mild to moderate chest pain was reported in 6 patients, and fever was reported in 2 patients. Intraoperative blood loss during pleuropulmonary resection in patients who had received preoperative regional arterial embolization was 625.6 ± 352.6 ml. Duration of the operation was 120.3 ± 75.2 min. Bronchopleural fistulae and empyema were found in 3 cases (9.4%).

Conclusion

Performance of regional arterial embolization before pleuropulmonary resection offers a safe and feasible option that reduces intraoperative blood loss and shortens operative time in patients with TDL.

Is there a rationale for pulmonary rehabilitation following successful chemotherapy for tuberculosis?

The role of tuberculosis as a public health care priority and the availability of diagnostic tools to evaluate functional status (spirometry, plethysmography, and DLCO determination), arterial blood gases, capacity to perform exercise, lesions (chest X-ray and CT), and quality of life justify the effort to consider what needs to be done when patients have completed their treatment. To our knowledge, no review has ever evaluated this topic in a comprehensive manner. Our objective was to review the available evidence on this topic and draw conclusions regarding the future role of the "post-tuberculosis treatment" phase, which will potentially affect several million cases every year. We carried out a non-systematic literature review based on a PubMed search using specific keywords (various combinations of the terms "tuberculosis", "rehabilitation", "multidrug-resistant tuberculosis", "pulmonary disease", "obstructive lung disease", and "lung volume measurements"). The reference lists of the most important studies were retrieved in order to improve the sensitivity of the search. Manuscripts written in English, Spanish, and Russian were selected. The main areas of interest were tuberculosis sequelae following tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment; "destroyed lung"; functional evaluation of sequelae; pulmonary rehabilitation interventions (physiotherapy, long-term oxygen therapy, and ventilation); and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.The evidence found suggests that tuberculosis is definitively responsible for functional sequelae, primarily causing an obstructive pattern on spirometry (but also restrictive and mixed patterns), and that there is a rationale for pulmonary rehabilitation. We also provide a list of variables that should be discussed in future studies on pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with post-tuberculosis sequelae.

The link between tuberculosis and body mass index

The evidence behind the strong correlation between reactivation of tuberculosis (TB) and low body mass index (BMI) was reviewed. This strong association between TB and BMI occurred only with pulmonary TB and not extra-pulmonary TB, indicating that a low-BMI body build may in some way predispose to TB reactivation in the lungs. A possible explanation may be the congenital apical lung bullae that occur in 15% of the population and are likely to enlarge in young low-BMI males since biomechanical modeling of pleural stress has shown a massive 40x increase in apical pleural stress in low antero-posterior (AP) diameter chests associated with a low-BMI build. This suggests that pre-existing lung cavities may predispose to TB reactivation instead of current thinking that cavitation occurs after reactivation. Supporting this hypothesis is the relatively common incidence of both TB and primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) occurring simultaneously. Furthermore, this hypothesis also gives a potential explanation for the apical location of secondary TB in the lower lobe as the conventional explanations of high apical oxygen levels and gravity appear to be invalid for the lower lobe. This opens up the possibility of a clinical trial that low-dose computerized tomography (CT) may be used to screen for the presence of subclinical apical bullae in low-BMI, high TB risk cohorts.

Retrospective study of clinical and lesion characteristics of patients undergoing surgical treatment for Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Georgia

Objectives

Our aim was to retrospectively compare clinical data and characteristics of removed lesions of the cohort of patients undergoing therapeutical surgery for their tuberculosis.

Design and methods

Demographic and epidemiological details, clinical data, data on the surgery performed, macroscopic characteristics of the TB lesions removed, and outcome were recorded retrospectively from the 137 patients who underwent therapeutical surgery for their TB in Tbilisi, Georgia during 2014 and 2015.

Results

Men represented 70% of the included patients, presented more comorbidities and underwent operation earlier in terms of days between diagnostic and surgery. Women underwent operation at younger ages, and in MDR/XDR-TB cases, showed higher percentages of sputum conversion at >2 months and of fresh necrosis in the surgical specimens, suggesting a worse evolution. Half of cases were MDR/XDR-TB cases. In spite of being considered microbiologically cured according to WHO, a non despricable percentage of cases showed viable bacilli in the surgical specimen. Even if no causality could be statistically demonstrated, differences could be encountered according to gender and drug susceptibility of the responsible strains.

Conclusions

According to our results, host factors such as gender, type of necrosis found in the lesions, size of lesions and presence of viable bacilli in the surgical specimen, should be included in future studies on therapeutical surgery of TB. As most of studies are done in MDR/XDR-TB, more data on DS-TB operated cases are needed. Our results also highlight that, in spite of achieving the microbiologically cured status, sterilization might not occur, and thus new biomarkers and new methods to evaluate the healing process of TB patients are urgently needed and radiological assays should be taken into account.