POST-TUBERCULOSIS LUNG DISEASE: A NEGLECTED BURDEN AND THE ROLE OF SURGICAL INTERVENTION
Keywords:
post-tuberculosis lung disease, PTLD, lung fibrosis, bronchiectasis, cavitary lesions, thoracic surgery, TB sequelaeAbstract
Despite successful microbiological cure, many tuberculosis (TB) survivors suffer from long-term respiratory sequelae collectively known as post-tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD). These include bronchiectasis, chronic airflow limitation, fibrotic lesions, and cavitary defects that may persist or worsen over time. This article explores the clinical manifestations, diagnostic challenges, and treatment approaches to PTLD, with an emphasis on the role of thoracic surgery in managing irreversible lung damage. It argues for greater clinical recognition of PTLD and discusses how timely surgical intervention can improve quality of life and reduce morbidity in selected patients.
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