Clinical characteristics and decortication outcomes of bacterial, tuberculous and fungal pleural infection.

Pleural infection leading to empyema is a severe condition marked by accumulated infected fluid in the pleural space. Pneumonia with parapneumonic effusion is its most common precursor. The global incidence of pleural infections has increased significantly, with existing literature mainly focusing on bacterial empyema, leaving a gap in comparative analyses.A retrospective review was conducted on 561 cases of bacterial, tuberculous, and fungal empyema over a 10-year period. The study compared and analysed overall survival rates, 30-day mortality rates after surgery, and clinical characteristics.The three empyema groups displayed distinct clinical characteristics. Fungal empyema had the worst overall survival compared to bacterial and tuberculous empyema, which had similar survival rates based on 30-day and 2-year mortality. Fungal empyema, advanced age, and high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score were independent predictors of poor prognosis.Fungal empyema has the highest mortality rate post-decortication surgery. Advanced age and high CCI score are independent predictors of poor prognosis..

The levels of soluble CD137 are increased in tuberculosis patients and associated with disease severity and prognosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) was the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent before the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, it is important to search for severity biomarkers and devise appropriate therapies. A total of 139 pulmonary TB (PTB) patients and 80 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited for plasma soluble CD137 (sCD137) detection through ELISA. Moreover, pleural effusion sCD137 levels were measured in 85 TB patients and 36 untreated lung cancer patients. The plasma cytokine levels in 64 patients with PTB and blood immune cell subpopulations in 68 patients with PTB were analysed via flow cytometry. Blood sCD137 levels were higher in PTB patients (p = 0.012) and correlated with disease severity (p = 0.0056). The level of sCD137 in tuberculous pleurisy effusion (TPE) was markedly higher than that in malignant pleurisy effusion (p = 0.018). Several blood cytokines, such as IL-6 (p = 0.0147), IL-8 (p = 0.0477), IP-10 (p ≤ 0.0001) and MCP-1 (p = 0.0057), and some laboratory indices were significantly elevated in severe PTB (SE) patients, but the percentages of total lymphocytes (p = 0.002) and cytotoxic T cells (p = 0.036) were significantly lower in SE patients than in non-SE patients. In addition, the sCD137 level was negatively correlated with the percentage of total lymphocytes (p = 0.0008) and cytotoxic T cells (p = 0.0021), and PTB patients with higher plasma sCD137 levels had significantly shorter survival times (p = 0.0041). An increase in sCD137 is a potential biomarker for severe TB and indicates a poor prognosis.

Tuberculous Pleural Effusion: Clinical Characteristics of 320 Patients. / Derrame pleural tuberculoso: características clínicas de 320 pacientes.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical and radiological characteristics and features of pleural fluid (PF) in patients with tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of TPEs treated in our clinic over the last 23years. RESULTS: We included 320 patients with TPE (70% men; median age 33years). Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in the sputum or PF of 36% of the patients by microscopic examination, solid and liquid media cultures, or nucleic acid amplification tests. The greatest percentage of positive microbiological findings were associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection (OR: 3.27), and with the presence in PF of proteins <4g/dL (OR: 3.53), neutrophils >60% (OR: 3.23), and glucose <40mg/dL (OR: 3.17). Pleural adenosine deaminase <35U/L was associated with TPEs that occupied less than half of the hemithorax (OR: 6.36) and with PF lactate dehydrogenase levels <500U/L (OR: 8.09). Radiological pulmonary opacities (30%) were more common in TPE occupying less than half of the hemithorax (OR: 2.73), in bilateral TPE (OR: 4.48), and in older patients (OR: 1.02). Factors predicting mortality were: HIV co-infection (OR: 24), proteins in PF <5g/dL (OR: 10), and greater age (OR: 1.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with TPE and HIV co-infection and those with lower concentrations of proteins in PF had higher rates of positive microbiological results and death. Moreover, older patients had more pulmonary opacities and a higher incidence of death.

Macrophage mannose receptor, CD206, predict prognosis in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of fatal infectious disease. Accumulations of macrophages are found in infected sites; thus, we hypothesized that a marker of activated macrophages may be related to prognosis of pulmonary TB (PTB). This study investigated serum soluble macrophage mannose receptor, sCD206, in PTB and examined its clinical significance. First, the concentration of sCD206 was measured in the sera of 96 patients with PTB (Tenryu cohort), and in pleural effusions from 29 patients with TB pleurisy. These were verified in another independent cohort (Shizuoka cohort). We found increased concentrations of sCD206 in sera, but not in pleural effusions of PTB patients. Notably, PTB patients with poor prognosis showed significantly higher levels of serum sCD206. At a cut-off value of 1,600 ng/mL in the Tenryu cohort, sCD206 predicted prognosis of PTB with area under the curve 0.847, sensitivity 77.3%, and specificity 86.5%. These results were validated in the Shizuoka cohort. Pathological analyses showed concordance of enhanced CD206 expression in lung and pleural tissues with caseating granuloma in TB. Serum sCD206 increased in PTB and was associated with prognosis. sCD206 is a potential biomarker for PTB.

Corticosteroids for tuberculous pleurisy.

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids used in addition to antituberculous therapy have been reported to benefit people with tuberculous pleurisy. However, research findings are inconsistent and raise doubt as to whether such treatment is worthwhile. There is also concern regarding the potential adverse effects of corticosteroids, especially in HIV-positive people. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of adding corticosteroids to drug regimens for tuberculous pleural effusion. SEARCH METHODS: In April 2016, we searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL (the Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, Current Controlled Trials, and the reference lists of articles identified by the literature search. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs that compared any corticosteroid with no treatment, placebo, or other active treatment (both groups should have received the same antituberculous drug regimen) in people diagnosed with tuberculous pleurisy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently screened the search results, extracted data from the included trials, and assessed trial methodological quality using the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool. We analysed the data using risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We applied the fixed-effect model in the absence of statistically significant heterogeneity. MAIN RESULTS: Six trials with 590 participants met the inclusion criteria, which were conducted in Asia (three trials), Africa (two trials), and Europe (one trial). Two trials were in HIV-negative people, one trial was in HIV-positive people, and three trials did not report HIV status.Corticosteroids may reduce the time to resolution of pleural effusion. Risk of residual pleural effusion on chest X-ray was reduced by 45% at eight weeks (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.78; 237 participants, 2 trials, low certainty evidence), and 65% at 24 weeks (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.66; 237 participants, 2 trials, low certainty evidence).Compared with control, corticosteroids may reduce the risk of having pleural changes (such as pleural thickening or pleural adhesions), on chest X-ray at the end of follow-up by almost one third (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.92; 393 participants, 5 trials,low certainty evidence), which translates to an absolute risk reduction of 16%.One trial reported deaths in people that were HIV-positive, with no obvious difference between the groups; the trial authors' analysis suggests that the deaths observed in this trial were related to HIV disease rather than pleural TB (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.31; 197 participants, 1 trial).We found limited data on long-term functional respiratory impairment on 187 people in two trials, which reported that average percentage predicted forced vital capacity was similar in the group receiving prednisolone and in the control group (very low certainty evidence).The risk of adverse events that led to discontinuation of the trial drug was higher in people with pleural TB receiving corticosteroids (RR 2.78, 95% CI 1.11 to 6.94; 587 participants, 6 trials, low certainty evidence). The trial in HIV-positive people reported on six different HIV-related infections, with no obvious differences. However, cases of Kaposi's sarcoma were only seen in the corticosteroid group (with 6/99 cases in the steroid group compared to 0/98 in the control group) (very low certainty evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Long-term respiratory function is potentially the most important outcome for assessing the effects of adjunctive treatments for people with pleural TB. However, the information on the impact of pleural TB on long-term respiratory function is unknown and could be eclipsed by other risk factors, such as concurrent pulmonary TB, smoking, and HIV. This probably needs to be quantified to help decide whether further trials of corticosteroids for pleural TB would be worthwhile.

Utility of Macrophage-activated Marker CD163 for Diagnosis and Prognosis in Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

RATIONALE: Among infectious diseases, tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Accumulated knowledge has revealed that macrophages are deeply involved in the progression and pathogenesis of TB. We hypothesized that the evaluation of a macrophage activation marker may be useful in the diagnosis and assessment of pulmonary TB. OBJECTIVES: To examine the utility of the macrophage activation marker soluble CD163 (sCD163) as a diagnostic tool and measure of disease severity for pulmonary TB and tuberculous pleurisy. METHODS: We compared the concentration of sCD163 in serum samples of 180 patients with active pulmonary TB with concentrations in serum samples of 45 age- and sex-matched control subjects. We also measured sCD163 in pleural fluid samples of 100 patients with pleural disease, including 31 patients with tuberculous pleurisy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We found increased serum concentrations of sCD163 in patients with active pulmonary TB compared with those of control subjects (1,643 ± 1,737 ng/ml vs. 533.9 ± 49.3 ng/ml; P < 0.0001). sCD163 levels were also higher in pleural fluid samples of patients with pulmonary TB than in those of patients with non-TB pleurisy (5,239 ± 2,436 ng/ml vs. 2,877 ± 1,191 ng/ml; P < 0.0001). The levels of sCD163 in pleural effusions were significantly higher than serum levels obtained simultaneously from the same patients, particularly for patients with tuberculous pleurisy. Patients with a serum level of sCD163 above 1,300 ng/ml, had a mortality rate that was five times higher than that of patients with a lower sCD163 level (44.6% vs. 6.6%; P < 0.0001 by log-rank test). Microscopic examination of lung and pleural tissue samples showed concordance of enhanced CD163 expression with the presence of caseating granulomas in tissue obtained from patients with TB. CONCLUSIONS: The macrophage activation marker CD163 was increased in patients with active pulmonary TB compared with age- and sex-matched control subjects. Increased levels of sCD163 were associated with increased mortality in patients with pulmonary TB. sCD163 also showed promise as a diagnostic tool for tuberculous pleurisy. These results warrant further study of sCD163 as a potentially useful biomarker for the diagnosis and assessment of pulmonary TB. Clinical trial registered with www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index-j.htm (UMIN000003400).

High mortality in adults hospitalized for active tuberculosis in a low HIV prevalence setting.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of adults hospitalized for tuberculosis in a higher-income region with low HIV prevalence. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on all adults hospitalized for pulmonary and/or extrapulmonary tuberculosis in an acute-care hospital in Hong Kong during a two-year period. Microscopy and solid-medium culture were routinely performed. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was made by: (1) positive culture of M. tuberculosis, (2) positive M. tuberculosis PCR result, (3) histology findings of tuberculosis infection, and/or (4) typical clinico-radiological manifestations of tuberculosis which resolved after anti-TB treatment, in the absence of alternative diagnoses. Time to treatment ('early', started during initial admission; 'late', subsequent periods), reasons for delay, and short- and long-term survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Altogether 349 patients were studied [median(IQR) age 62(48-77) years; non-HIV immunocompromised conditions 36.7%; HIV/AIDS 2.0%]. 57.9%, 16.3%, and 25.8% had pulmonary, extrapulmonary, and pulmonary-extrapulmonary tuberculosis respectively. 58.2% was smear-negative; 0.6% multidrug-resistant. 43.4% developed hypoxemia. Crude 90-day and 1-year all-cause mortality was 13.8% and 24.1% respectively. 57.6% and 35.8% received 'early' and 'late' treatment respectively, latter mostly culture-guided [median(IQR) intervals, 5(3-9) vs. 43(25-61) days]. Diagnosis was unknown before death in 6.6%. Smear-negativity, malignancy, chronic lung diseases, and prior exposure to fluoroquinolones (adjusted-OR 10.6, 95%CI 1.3-85.2) delayed diagnosis of tuberculosis. Failure to receive 'early' treatment independently predicted higher mortality (Cox-model, adjusted-HR 1.8, 95%CI 1.1-3.0). CONCLUSIONS: Mortality of hospitalized tuberculosis patients is high. Newer approaches incorporating methods for rapid diagnosis and initiation of anti-tuberculous treatment are urgently required to improve outcomes.

[Experience of various parietal pleurectomies with decortication of lungs in pleural lesions].

During 2006-2012 years different types of parietal pleurectomy (PE) with lung decortication (LD) were performed for 135 patients. Among them: 42 (31.1%)--had standart PE with LD (with performing usual thoracotomy); 34 (25.2%)--had video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) PE with LD; 36 (26.7%)--videothoracoscopy (VTS) PE with LD; 23 (17.0%)--standart PE with LD combined with lung resection. Common effectiveness of surgical treatment was 96.3%, mortality level--1.5%, postoperative complication level--8.9%. On the early stage of pleural diseases VATS PE with LD and VTS PE with LD are more preferable. To unclear and difficult cases for performing standart PE with LD we consider that operation should begin by VTS pleural space investigation. In some cases minithoracotomy is possible with performing VATS PE with LD or standart PE with LD (performing usual thoracotomy).

Outcomes following surgery for complicated tuberculosis: analysis of 108 patients.

BACKGROUND: Both incidence and complications of pleuropulmonary tuberculosis (TB) have increased due to recent increase of immunocompromising conditions. The aim of this study was to assess surgical outcomes in patients suffering from complicated pleuropulmonary TB. METHODS: This study included 108 patients with pleuropulmonary TB who underwent surgery. Age, sex, surgical indications, operative techniques, complications, mortality, and morbidity were evaluated. RESULTS: Male-female ratio was 1:11 with mean age of 40 years; 72.2 and 27.8% of the patients underwent surgery due to parenchymal and pleural complications. In the parenchymal group, the most common indication was parenchymal destruction (27.7%) and the most common procedure was lobectomy (50.9%). Out of 20 sputum smear-positive patients, 15 had multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and 5 had smear-positive open cavity. Overall 13 of the MDR-TB group and all smear-positive open cavity group became sputum-negative after the surgery. There were 13 patients with undiagnosed masses, among whom 3 patients had adenocarcinoma. In the pleural group, the most common surgical indication was empyema (13.8%) and the most common procedure was decortication and pleurectomy (13.8%). In the bronchopleural fistula group (6.4%), patients showed good results after surgery. There were 19.4% of patients who showed postoperative complications. The most common complication was residual space (5.5%). The main factors leading to major postoperative complications included positive preoperative sputum smear and history of immunocompromising condition. Mortality rate was 2.7%. CONCLUSION: Considering the favorable results achieved by surgery in patients with pleuropulmonary TB, this treatment can be recommended for this group of patients.

In-hospital outcome of patients with culture-confirmed tuberculous pleurisy: clinical impact of pulmonary involvement.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes for hospitalized patients with tuberculous pleurisy (TP) have rarely been reported, and whether or not pulmonary involvement affects outcomes is uncertain. This study aimed to analyze the in-hospital mortality rate of culture-confirmed TP with an emphasis on the clinical impact of pulmonary involvement. METHODS: Patients who were hospitalized for pleural effusion (PE) of unconfirmed diagnosis and finally diagnosed as TP were identified. We classified them according to the disease extent: isolated pleurisy (isolated pleurisy group) and pleurisy with pulmonary involvement (pleuro-pulmonary group). RESULTS: Among the 205 patients hospitalized before the diagnosis was established, 51 (24.9%) belonged to the isolated pleurisy group. Compared to the pleuro-pulmonary group, patients in the isolated pleurisy group were younger, had fewer underlying co-morbidities, and presented more frequently with fever and chest pain. Fewer patients in the isolated pleurisy group had hypoalbuminemia (< 3.5 g/dL) and anemia. The two groups were similar with regards to PE analysis, resistance pattern, and timing of anti-tuberculous treatment. Patients who had a typical pathology of TP on pleural biopsy received anti-tuberculous treatment earlier than those who did not, and were all alive at discharge. The isolated pleurisy group had a lower in-hospital mortality rate, a shorter length of hospital stay and better short-term survival. In addition, the presence of underlying comorbidities and not receiving anti-tuberculous treatment were associated with a higher in-hospital mortality rate. CONCLUSION: In culture-confirmed tuberculous pleurisy, those with pulmonary involvement were associated with a higher in-hospital mortality rate. A typical pathology for TP on pleura biopsy was associated with a better outcome.

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial pleurisy: an 8-year single-centre experience in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with pleurisy due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), which are currently unclear. DESIGN: From 2000 to 2007, patients with NTM and Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from pleural effusion (PE) samples were identified and compared. RESULTS: Thirty-five NTM patients and 140 tuberculosis (TB) patients were reviewed. Patients with NTM pleurisy were less likely to have lung involvement and receive anti-mycobacterial treatment compared with those with tuberculous pleurisy. NTM pleurisy had a higher PE leukocyte count and a lower percentage of lymphocytes. M. avium complex (MAC) was the most common pathogen in NTM pleurisy. Patients with MAC pleurisy were younger and tended to have more extra-pleural involvement and immune dysfunction. One-year mortality in the NTM pleurisy group was 37%, and anti-NTM treatment was associated with better survival. Patients with additional diagnostic evidence were more likely to receive anti-NTM treatment. CONCLUSION: NTM pleurisy is common and has a high 1-year mortality rate. Anti-NTM treatment may provide better 1-year survival and should be considered once NTM pleurisy is diagnosed.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis and polymorphonuclear pleural effusion: incidence and clinical pointers.

BACKGROUND: Delayed diagnosis and treatment of a polymorphonuclear cell (PMN)-predominant pleural effusion due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) are associated with poor outcome and the risk of tuberculosis transmission. We investigated the clinical differences of PMN-predominant pleural effusion due to MTB or other microorganisms. METHODS: From January 2000 to April 2007, a total of 354 patients with tuberculous pleurisy were identified. Among them, 39 (11.0%) adults had PMN-predominant pleural effusion (MTB group). Their clinical characteristics were compared with the 117 age-/gender-matched controls (1:3) selected from 715 patients with PMN-predominant pleural effusion due to other microorganisms. RESULTS: Among patients with PMN-predominant septic pleural effusion, 5.2% were due to MTB. The in-hospital mortality rate in the MTB group was 36%, similar to that of the control group. Sputum samples were culture-positive for MTB in 41%. Weight loss (p=0.006), initial leukocyte count

Characteristics of patients suffering from tuberculous pleuritis with pleural effusion culture positive and negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and risk factors for fatality.

SETTING: A 2500-bed hospital. OBJECTIVES: To clarify characteristics of tuberculous pleuritis (TP) with pleural effusion culture positive and negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (PECP-MT and PECN-MT) and to identify risk factors for fatality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of TP patients with PECP-MT and PECN-MT, and review of medical charts of deceased patients. RESULTS: Of 126 patients enrolled (28 PECP-MT and 98 PECN-MT), those with PECP-MT had a higher prevalence of steroid use (SU) (14.3% vs. 2.0%; P = 0.022) and concurrent tuberculosis involving another site (7.2% vs. 0.0%; P = 0.048), increased neutrophils (36.4% vs. 16.6%; P = 0.020) and decreased glucose levels (mean 88.7 vs. 127.6 g/dl; P = 0.012) in pleural effusion, and a higher fatality rate (28.0% vs. 3.1%; P < 0.001). Deceased patients (n = 10) were older (mean 74.2 vs. 64.4 years; P = 0.047), had a higher incidence of acute renal failure (ARF) (50.0% vs. 11.7%; P = 0.007), and a higher prevalence of malignancy (40.0% vs. 6.3%; P = 0.006), history of stroke (30.0% vs. 7.2%; P = 0.048) and SU (20.0% vs. 1.8%; P = 0.034). CONCLUSION: SU, concurrent tuberculosis involving another site, increased neutrophils and decreased glucose levels in pleural effusion may be predictive factors for PECP-MT. Malignancy, ARF and SU, and perhaps being elderly or history of stroke, are risk factors for fatality in patients with TP.

[Up-to-date indications for surgery in pleural and pulmonary tuberculosis]. / Indicatii actuale in chirurgia tuberculozei pleuro-pulmonare.

Tuberculosis is an "old disease" but still remains a threat in modern days life. Despite human and material efforts, despite the improvements in drug therapy, the treatment of tuberculosis continue to consume a great amount of health care worldwide. A certain percentage among the patients with pleuro-pulmonary tuberculosis represents failures of DOTS therapy. Among them, paraclinical investigations will select candidates eligible for thoracic surgery. In our study we are reviewing the main surgical options and we present our experience regarding surgery in pleuro-pulmonary tuberculosis--what to operate and when is the best moment.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the use of prednisolone as an adjunct to treatment in HIV-1-associated pleural tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Active tuberculosis may accelerate progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by promoting viral replication in activated lymphocytes. Glucocorticoids are used in pleural tuberculosis to reduce inflammation-induced pathology, and their use also might reduce progression of HIV by suppressing immune activation. We examined the effect that prednisolone has on survival in HIV-1-associated pleural tuberculosis. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of prednisolone as an adjunct to tuberculosis treatment, in adults with HIV-1-associated pleural tuberculosis. The primary outcome was death. Analysis was by intention to treat. RESULTS: Of 197 participants, 99 were assigned to the prednisolone group and 98 to the placebo group. The mortality rate was 21 deaths/100 person-years (pyr) in the prednisolone group and 25 deaths/100 pyr in the placebo group (age-, sex-, and initial CD4+ T cell count-adjusted mortality rate ratio, 0.99 [95% confidence interval, 0.62-1.56] [P =.95]). Resolution of tuberculosis was faster in the prednisolone group, but recurrence rates were slightly (though not significantly) higher, and use of prednisolone was associated with a significantly higher incidence of Kaposi sarcoma (4.2 cases/100 pyr, compared with 0 cases/100 pyr [P =.02]). CONCLUSIONS: In view of the lack of survival benefit and the increased risk of Kaposi sarcoma, the use of prednisolone in HIV-associated tuberculous pleurisy is not recommended.

Role of thoracic surgery for childhood tuberculosis.

Lymphadenopathy is the hallmark of intrathoracic tuberculosis in children. The role of the thoracic surgeon in treating childhood tuberculosis is to relieve the more severe symptoms of lymphadenopathy, prevent the more long-term secondary damage that lymphadenopathy may cause to the lung, and treat the sequelae of thoracic tuberculosis. We reviewed the role of surgery in childhood tuberculosis at Red Cross Children Hospital from January 1981 to January 1996 in 161 children under 13 who were admitted for 168 therapeutic surgical interventions for proved intrathoracic tuberculosis and its related complications. We classified patients according to the pathophysiology of their disease to clarify the role of surgery in their management. Successful decompression of lymph nodes that were acutely compromising major airways was done in 25 children, and decompression for chronic airway compression was successful in 8 of 11 children. Therapeutic bronchoscopy successfully opened an airway obstructed by intraluminal tissue in 68% of 28 patients, with long-term pulmonary reexpansion in 50%. Pulmonary resections for postprimary tuberculous damage were done in 72 patients with a mortality of 2.7% and morbidity of 16.7%. Another 17 patients were operated on for pleural disease and 15 for other tuberculosis-related problems. The mortality for all patients undergoing surgery for complications of tuberculosis during childhood was 1.9% (3/161), suggesting that when indicated, an aggressive surgical approach is relatively safe.

Surgical management of pleuropulmonary tuberculosis.

To define the current indications for surgical management of pleuropulmonary tuberculosis and analyze the results of operative procedures, the records of 59 patients operated on between January 1987 and December 1993 were reviewed. Three patient categories were defined. Group I patients (n = 25) underwent operation for diagnostic purposes: solitary mediastinal node or mediastinal adenopathy associated with pulmonary lesions (n = 10), pulmonary infiltrates (n = 4), pulmonary nodules or masses (n = 10), or chronic pleurisy (n = 1). Postoperative mortality and morbidity rates in this group were both 4%. Group II patients (n = 18) underwent operation for active lesions: intrapulmonary cavity (n = 6), destroyed lung parenchyma (n = 6), or chronic loculated pleural effusion (n = 6). Postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were 16.6% and 5.5%, respectively. Group III patients (n = 16) underwent operation for a complication of therapy or for sequelae of previously "cured" tuberculosis: calcified pyothorax (n = 8), empyema (n = 2), fistulized nodes (n = 2), bronchiectasis (n = 3), or aspergilloma (n = 1). Morbidity and mortality rates in this group were 31.25% and 12.5%, respectively. Surgery continues to have both diagnostic and therapeutic indications for management of pleuropulmonary tuberculosis, despite the morbidity and mortality rates associated with operative procedures.