A PROSPECTIVE STUDY TO EVALUATE THE UTILITY OF BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE BY FIBEROPTIC BRONCHOSCOPY IN SPUTUM SMEAR NEGATIVE PATIENTS WITH HIGH SUSPICION OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

Aim: To evaluate the utility of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) by flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in sputum smear negative patients with clinical and radiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).Materials and Methods: This prospective study was carried out in 30 sputum smear negative patients of age group 20 to 70 years, who we

Background.Tuberculosis (TB) has continued to be a major health problem globally, in spite of the efforts to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.It affects millions of people each year and stands as the second cause of death due to infectious disease Glass Fridge Shelf in the world.Early case finding and timely initiation of treatment