[Efficacy and safety of cryotherapy combined with balloon dilatation through electronic bronchoscope in the management of airway occlusion caused by scar stenosis type of tracheobronchial tuberculosis].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of cryotherapy combined with balloon dilatation through electronic bronchoscope in the management of airway occlusion caused by scar stenosis type of tracheobronchial tuberculosis (TBTB). Methods: From December 2008 to May 2016, 98 cases of airway occlusion caused by scar stenosis of TBTB were diagnosed by microbiology, histopathology, CT (computer tomography), bronchial reconstructions and bronchoscopy. All patients underwent routine anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy and cryotherapy through bronchoscope. The patients whose airways were reopened successfully received balloon dilatation through bronchoscope subsequently. The treatment effects were estimated by indexes including clinical efficacy, modified medical research council (mMRC) dyspnea scale and complications. Results: Among the 98 patients, airway occlusion in 87 cases were reopened successfully by cryotherapy for (10±4) times, and then these patients received balloon dilatation through bronchoscope for (7±3) times subsequently. The total effective rates were 76.53% and 72.45% after 3 and 12 months after the treatments respectively. Analysis of the disease courses of patients with different therapeutic efficacy showed that the median disease course was 3 months in healed cases, 5 months in effective cases and 9 months in ineffective cases. There was a significant difference between the ineffective and the total effective cases in disease courses (t=-15.012, P<0.01). The average of mMRC score changed from (3.8±0.5) before the procedure, to (1.1±0.7), (1.2±0.7) and (1.2±0.7) immediately, 3 and 12 months after the treatments. The difference was significant between the scores before and after therapy (t=30.398-31.058, P<0.01), but not among the 3 scores after treatments. No serious complications were observed in all cases. Conclusions: Cryotherapy combined with balloon dilatation through electronic bronchoscope was a very safe and effective method in the management of airway occlusion caused by scar stenosis of tracheobronchial tuberculosis. A shorter course of disease indicated more benefits for patients.