Abstract
Introduction Successful treatment of tuberculosis relies on microbiological diagnosis and drug
sensitivities. Due to the pauci-bacillary nature of childhood infection, this is often
not possible. We describe the successful microbiological diagnosis of tuberculosis
using thoracoscopic pleural nodule biopsy.
Material and Methods In seven patients presenting with pulmonary tuberculosis and pleural involvement,
but in whom microbiological diagnosis could not be established, thoracoscopic pleural
biopsy was performed and analyzed for histology, acid-fast bacilli, polymerase chain
reaction (PCR), DNA, culture, and drug sensitivities.
Results In five out of the seven patients we achieved positive histology, culture, and drug
sensitivities. In the remaining two patients, histology, PCR, and DNA probe were positive
for tuberculosis.
Conclusions Thoracoscopic pleural biopsy is a sensitive aid to the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis
in children.
Keywords
tuberculosis - thoracoscopy - diagnosis - biopsy - children
