Tuberculosis Lungs Fibrous-Focal

Fibrous focal pulmonary tuberculosis (t. pulmonum fibrosa focalis) is a form of pulmonary tuberculosis in which multiple foci of fibrosis (scarring) form in the lungs.

This form of tuberculosis develops after a previous tuberculosis process, which occurred with the formation of foci in the lungs. Over time, these lesions are replaced by fibrous tissue and turn into scars.

The main signs of fibrous-focal pulmonary tuberculosis:

1. The presence of multiple foci of fibrosis in the lungs, detected using radiography or CT. The lesions range in size from a few millimeters to 1-2 cm, with clear contours.

2. Absence of clinical manifestations of the disease. Patients feel healthy.

3. No bacterial excretion. Sputum analysis for Mycobacterium tuberculosis is negative.

4. Some patients have restrictive lung function disorders.

5. Positive Mantoux test with 2 TE PPD-L.

Diagnosis of fibrous focal pulmonary tuberculosis is based on X-ray data, the Mantoux test and the exclusion of other diseases that may give a similar picture.

Treatment is usually not required. Dispensary observation is carried out with periodic examinations to exclude progression of the process. With progression, anti-tuberculosis therapy is prescribed.

**Tuberculosis** is an infectious disease caused by the tuberculosis bacillus. The disease is characterized by the formation of specific inflammatory changes in various organs and tissues in the form of granulomas, the breakdown of which produces cheesy necrotic detritus, which leads to the appearance of cavities. The causative agent of tuberculosis usually enters the human body aerogenously, less often - through alimentary or autoinoculation routes or hematogenously.\n\nWith low resistance of the body, the development of a tumorous form of pulmonary tuberculosis is possible, in which changes in the lungs become fibrotic in nature. The reaction of the tissue to the influence of an infectious agent causes the appearance of tumor-like nodes (tuberculema) of various sizes in the lung. Against the background of adhesions and scars of the lung, areas of compaction of various sizes and shapes develop, turning into cavities, which serve as the main cause of dysfunction and deformation of the affected lung (emphysema, atelectasis), a decrease in the vital capacity of the lungs and the volume of ventilation of the lungs.\n\n** Infectious factors:**\n\n1. smoking; \n2. insufficiently favorable social and living conditions; \n3. failure to vaccinate the child against BCG; \n4. severe immunodeficiency (including HIV infection, condition after splenectomy, cytostatic, radiation therapy, long-term use of drugs that suppress the immune system); \n5. chronic diseases of the respiratory system (chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, COPD); \n6. the presence of acute or chronic infectious diseases (viral infections, otitis, sinusitis).\n\nClinical manifestations of tuberculosis in the fibrotic stage are manifested by shortness of breath, cough with rust-colored sputum, general weakness, weight loss, pale skin, decreased performance, low-grade fever. Fibrous changes can occur both acutely and chronically; the tendency of the latter course to progress causes the development of chronic respiratory failure.