Therapeutic Bronchography in the Treatment of Bronchopulmonary Tuberculosis

¹ Department of Medicine and Chest Clinic, Notre Dame Hospital and University of Montreal

The results obtained with a new technique in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, that of therapeutic bronchography, have been presented. This method brings directly to the site of the active lesion a much higher concentration of the therapeutic agent than that obtained by the classic oral route. It produces sputum conversion and cure more rapidly in 81 per cent of the observed cases. It is particularly effective in cases of recent development, and less rapidly. but just as effectively in chronic cases providing that the draining bronchus is still permeable. Cavities of 4 cm diameter or less are more effectively treated by this technique. This method is relatively simple, is well tolerated by the patient, and has produced only rare temporary complications which are without serious consequence.

It is not a panacea in the treatment of active pulmonary tuberculosis and should be associated with the customary general treatment. Its value has been noted in cases of cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis with positive sputum as well as negative sputum, acute cases of tuberculous bronchitis, tuberculous bronchiectasis and chronic tuberculosis. However, this report does not cover a sufficient number of case to draw any definite conclusion regarding this therapeutic technique in this latter regard.

The case failures which were experienced are attributable to already developed resistance to isoniazid, to certain allergic reactions, to character defects and finally

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to associated conditions such as cancer and pulmonary fibrosis.