Tuberculosis-associated secondary pneumothorax: A retrospective study of 53 patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND Pneumothorax is a well known complication of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), particularly in patients with advanced TB. METHODS: At our national TB-referral hospital, we compared the medical records of 53 TB patients with pneumothorax and 106 TB patients without pneumothorax, seen in 2003 to 2008. We analyzed data on demographics; TB type (smear-positive, smear-negative, extrapulmonary); patient type (new patient, relapse, treatment default, treatment failure); clinical and radiological manifestations; surgeries; and outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 53 pneumothorax patients, 34 (64%) were male. The pneumothorax group's mean age was 34 y (range 14-76 y). Thirty-six (68%) of the pneumothorax patients were new TB cases (ie, TB undiagnosed before they presented with pneumothorax). Pneumothorax was not significantly associated with sex, smoking, or drug use. Pneumothorax was significantly more common in patients < 30 years old (P < 30 years old or with cavitary lesions, worsening of the patient's respiratory condition should prompt consideration of pneumothorax. © 2011 Daedalus Enterprises.