Complications of Tuberculosis: A Case Study on Bronchopleural Fistula and Failed Conservative Management
Authors
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##
Abstract
Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a severe complication of pulmonary tuberculosis, particularly prevalent in high TB incidence regions like Indonesia. We managed a 22-year-old male with pulmonary tuberculosis who developed right pyopneumothorax unresponsive to conservative treatment. Despite anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT), his condition worsened. A thoracic CT confirmed bronchopleural fistula, leading us to perform an exploratory thoracotomy with decortication and fistula closure, resulting in significant clinical improvement. This case underscores the challenges of managing tuberculosis-associated BPF and highlights the necessity for early surgical intervention when conservative treatments fail. The successful outcome emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to ensure favourable patient outcomes and prevent complications. Prompt surgical management is crucial in tuberculosis related BPF cases where conservative treatments are ineffective, reinforcing the need for tailored, multidisciplinary strategies in complex TB cases.
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.details##
Copyright (c) 2025 Noni Novisari Soeroso, Aida Aida, Setia Putra Tarigan, Andika Pradana, Brema Suranta Pasaribu, Halina Julia

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Creative Commons License All articles published in Annals of Medicine and Medical Sciences are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Noni Novisari Soeroso, Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Prof. Dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, Jl. Dr. Mansyur No.5, Medan, 20155, Indonesia.
Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Prof. Dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, Jl. Dr. Mansyur No.5, Medan, 20155, Indonesia.
Aida Aida, Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Prof. Dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, Jl. Dr. Mansyur No.5, Medan, 20155, Indonesia.
Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Prof. Dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, Jl. Dr. Mansyur No.5, Medan, 20155, Indonesia.
Setia Putra Tarigan, Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Prof. Dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, Jl. Dr. Mansyur No.5, Medan, 20155, Indonesia.
Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Prof. Dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, Jl. Dr. Mansyur No.5, Medan, 20155, Indonesia.
Andika Pradana, Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Prof. Dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, Jl. Dr. Mansyur No.5, Medan, 20155, Indonesia.
Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Prof. Dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, Jl. Dr. Mansyur No.5, Medan, 20155, Indonesia.
Brema Suranta Pasaribu, Thoracic Surgeon Division, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. Dr. Mansyur No.5, Medan, 20155, Indonesia.
Thoracic Surgeon Division, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. Dr. Mansyur No.5, Medan, 20155, Indonesia.
Halina Julia, Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Prof. Dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, Jl. Dr. Mansyur No.5, Medan, 20155, Indonesia.
Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Prof. Dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, Jl. Dr. Mansyur No.5, Medan, 20155, Indonesia.
[1] Ritonga IL, Setyowati S, Handiyani H, Nursasi AY. Exploring the tuberculosis medication program in Indonesia as perceived by patients and their families: A qualitative study. Belitung Nurs J [Internet]. 2023 Mar 1 [cited 2024 Aug 11];9(2):124–31. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37469587/
[2] Indonesia: number of tuberculosis cases 2022 | Statista [Internet]. [cited 2024 Aug 11]. Available from: https://www.statista.com/statistics/705149/number-of-tuberculosis-cases-in-indonesia/
[3] Global tuberculosis report 2023 [Internet]. 2023. Available from: https://iris.who.int/.
[4] Prasetyo KW, Jani JRS, Dini RE, Wardhana K. Case Report: Bronchopleural Fistula Dextra with Pyopneumothorax Dextra as Complication of Lung Tuberculosis. Malang Respiratory Journal. 2023;5(1):281-6.
[5] Shah M, Reed C. Complications of tuberculosis. Curr Opin Infect Dis [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2024 Aug 11];27(5):403–10. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25028786/
[6] Duarte-Ribeiro F, Dias C, Mota M. Bronchopleural and pleurocutaneous fistula in HIV patient with pulmonary tuberculosis. IDCases [Internet]. 2017;9:82-4. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250917301105
[7] Shen L, Jiang YH, Dai XY. Successful surgical treatment of bronchopleural fistula caused by severe pulmonary tuberculosis: A case report and review of literature. World J Clin Cases [Internet]. 2023 Apr 6;11(10):2282–9. Available from: https://www.wjgnet.com/2307-8960/full/v11/i10/2282.htm
[8] Yanti B, Hadi S, Harrika F, Shehzad A. Giant Bronchopleural Fistula and Empyema in a Tuberculosis Patient with Diabetes Mellitus: Vista from a High Tuberculosis Burden Country in Southeast Asia. Narra J. 2022;2(2).
[9] Bathobakae L, Shahid A, Wilkinson T, Adalja D, Sanchez J, Agnelli M, et al. Tuberculous Bronchopleural Fistula: A Rare and Life-Threatening Disease. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep. 2023;11.
[10] Mazzolini KJ, Dzubnar J, Velotta JB. A Step-Up Approach to Management of Complex Bronchopleural Fistula. J Surg Case Rep. 2022;2022(10).
[11] Simmerman EL, Simmerman A, Walsh N, Shafer M, Hao Z, Schroeder C. Management of a Complex Case of a Bronchopleural Fistula. Am Surg [Internet]. 2018 Jan 1;84(1):4–5. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/000313481808400103
[12] Ferrer J. Tuberculous Pleural Effusion and Tuberculous Empyema. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2001;22(06):637-46.
[13] Hammad W. Results of Surgical Closure of Bronchopleural Fistula with Vascularized Tissues. Journal of the Egyptian Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. 2016 Aug 1;24.
[14] Menon P, Rao K, Sethi GR, Gupta AK. Pediatric empyema thoracis - Role of conservative management. Indian Pediatr [Internet]. 2014;51(3):239-40. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-014-0365-4
[15] Light RW. Parapneumonic Effusions and Empyema. Proc Am Thorac Soc. 2006;3(1):75–80.
[16] Duchman B, Cheng GZ. Management of pneumothorax and persistent air leak- a narrative review. Vol. 9, AME Medical Journal. AME Publishing Company; 2024.
[17] Sindgikar VU, Vallabha T, Patil M, Kullolli G, Reddy S. Empyema Thoracis- the Role of Open Thoracotomy with Decortication in the Era of Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery. Annals of African Surgery. 2022;19(4):175–9.
[18] Wu S, Hu F, Sun B, Yang Y, Zhang W, Ma Y, et al. Diagnosis and Management of Intraspinal Tuberculoma with Osseous Involvement: A Case Report. Annals of Medicine and Surgery. 2024;86(4):2357–60.