Conventional Bronchoscope With BAL vs. Thin Bronchoscope With BW to Diagnose Pulmonary TB

Launched by PUSAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Nov 28, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating two different methods for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), which is an infection that affects the lungs. The researchers want to see which method works better: one using a thick, traditional bronchoscope that collects fluid from the lungs (called bronchoalveolar lavage or BAL) or another using a thin bronchoscope that washes the airways (called bronchial washing or BW). The goal is to find out which technique can identify TB more effectively in patients who are suspected of having the disease.

To participate in this study, individuals need to be over 17 years old and have symptoms or signs of active pulmonary TB shown on a chest X-ray or CT scan. They should have negative test results for TB from sputum samples, meaning they couldn’t produce enough mucus to test. However, people who are already being treated for TB or have certain medical conditions that make bronchoscopy risky will not be included. Participants will undergo one of the two diagnostic procedures, and the study is currently looking for volunteers to help improve TB diagnosis methods.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • participants age \> 17 years with suspected pulmonary TB
• • possible active pulmonary TB evident on chest radiography or CT scan
• • negative AFB smear results (using two consecutive self-expectorated sputum)
• • negative TB-PCR results (using one self-expectorated sputum)
• • inability to produce self-expectorated sputum
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • a request for empirical TB treatment rather than bronchoscopy
• • suspect pulmonary TB lesions that are difficult to target for BAL or BW (e.g., multiple discrete tiny nodules)
• • contra-indication of bronchoscopy (e.g., bleeding tendency, hypoxemia requiring oxygen, or uncontrolled cardio/cerebrovascular disease)