The role of ballooning in patients with post-tuberculosis bronchial stenosis

Abstract

Background: In order to access the role of ballooning in patients with post-tuberculosis bronchial stenosis (PTBS), medical records of patients who underwent the procedure were reviewed. Methods: Twenty-nine PTBS patients underwent balloon dilatation between May 1999 and November 2000 at Samsung Medical Center. The median age was 28 (range 16-62 year) and most patients were female (n=27, 93%). The mean number of ballooning procedures was 2.4 (range 1-8) and the interval between ballooning procedures was 76.2±69.7 days. Results: In general, the FEV1 was improved after ballooning (from 66.2.±11.9% predicted to 73.5±13.0% predicted, p=0.0004). Among 29 patients who underwent ballooning, a clinically successful outcome was observed in 16 patients (55%). Comparison between the successful and unsuccessful groups showed that favorable factors for a successful outcome were a higher pre-ballooning FEV1 (71.1±8.1 vs. 60.2±13.3% predicted), higher post-ballooning FEV1 (89.2±7.8 vs. 63.4±9.2% predicted) and absence of left upper lobe collapse. The clinical outcome was unsuccessful in all eight patients with a pre-ballooning FEV1 ≤57% of predicted or with complete left upper lobe collapse. Conclusion: In conclusion, ballooning appears to be helpful in patients with PTBS, especially when the pre-ballooning FEV1 >57% of predicted and there is no complete left upper lobe lung collapse. Copyright©2009. The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases. All rights reserved.