Abstract

Objective: To determine the role of sputum induction in suspected cases of pleural TB in tertiary care facility.

Study Design: Descriptive Cross sectional

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Thoracic Medicine, Fatima Jinnah Chest and general Hospital Quetta from 21st September 2019 to 20th March 2020.

Methodology: One hundred and eighteen suspected patients of pleural TB who failed to produce sputum spontaneously were studied. Sputum was induced in semi recumbent position after 15-20 minutes of nebulization with 15 mL of 3% hypertonic saline solution. The sputum of suspects was sent to well-equipped medical laboratory for culture of mycobacterium on Lowenstein Jensen medium at 370C and were examined for the presence of AFB on culture. Frequency and percentages was calculated for yield of sputum induction. Results: Mean age of the patients was 38.33±9.87 years. Seventy (59.30%) patients were male and 48 (40.70%) were females. Poor socioeconomic status was presented in 73 (61.90%) and 45 (38.10%) patients were presented with middle economical status. There were 64 (54.20%) patients with illiterate educational status, 40 (33.90%) with ≤matric and 14 (11.90%) with ≥Intermediate educational status. Diagnostic yield of sputum induction founds positive in 63 (53.40%) patients.

Conclusion: Sputum Induction is a safe procedure with a high diagnostic yield for mycobacterium TB (53.40%) in suspected patients of pleural tuberculosis.

Keywords: Sputum induction; Pleural TB; Diagnostic yield of culture