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TB is difficult to diagnose in children because of problems in obtaining good-quality sputum samples. Endobronchial TB (ETB) — tuberculous infection of the tracheobronchial tree — is particularly difficult to diagnose because it is not evident on radiographic imaging. Now, researchers in Turkey describe their experience with flexible bronchoscopy (FB) as an adjunct to other tests for diagnosis of complicated and persistent TB in children.
The study involved 70 children with suspected TB (respiratory symptoms and radiographic findings suggestive of TB; positive contact history) or an inadequate response to 8 weeks of anti-TB treatment. All underwent FB with bronchoalveolar lavage.
ETB was diagnosed by FB in 12 of the 26 children (46%) with ina…