Rela Hospital Doctors treat a 53-year-old woman diagnosed with severe Lung Tuberculosis

~ Doctors Performed Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) a minimally invasive procedure and successfully removed the affected tissues ~

~ Patient weighing 37 kgs pre-treatment with disseminated tuberculosis returns to normal life with a weigh of 54 kgs post-treatment ~

Chennai, April 3rd March 2023: Mrs. Kannamal, aged 53 years and a resident of Nanganallur, Chennai was referred to Rela Hospitals in the month of October 2022 for poor intake of food for many weeks. Initially, the patient was treated in another hospital. As she had failed to respond to the treatment over there, the doctors advised her husband to get her admitted in Rela Hospital.

“When we received Mrs.Kannamal, she was a case of severe weight loss, not responding to any oral feeds, had excessive swelling in her lower limbs, and was totally malnourished. She also had extreme abdominal distention. Post clinical evaluations and diagnostics, it was evident that she was a clear case of severe protein calorie malnutrition.” said Dr. Jimmy Prabhakaran, Senior Consultant – Internal Medicine at Rela Hospital

“The key challenge was to improve her protein levels. We had to gradually improve the levels and bring it to a manageable level of 2.5 plus. Her protein level which should normally be 3.5 was only 1.3. Such situations are called Hypo-anemia,” he added

She was only weighing around 37kgs and her neurological and serology parameters were normal. She had no history of diabetes, hypertension etc. and her pulse rate, oxygen, kidney functions and heartbeat were also normal.

“Her hemoglobin levels, Vitamin B12 and iron deficiency anemia when tested was quite low. We took a call to drain the excessive fluids from her abdomen immediately. She further developed difficulty in her breathing and post a bronchoscopy test, it was found there was a total collapse of her lungs,” said Dr. Jimmy

Though the first set of clinical investigations were normal, the team at Rela had doubts that it could be tuberculosis or a malignant tumor. To eliminate this doubt, Dr. Benhur Joel – Consultant – Pulmonologist at Rela Hospital was asked to perform EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound) bronchoscopy procedure to clear all doubts. It was diagnosed as Tuberculosis.

“For the uninitiated, tuberculosis is a very dangerous disease that can spread quickly from the lungs to bones, the brain, kidneys, and liver and can affect every part of the body if left untreated.

EBUS-TBNA is a semi-invasive procedure that’s not only known for its accuracy but also for its safety. In this case, the procedure was done in 20 minutes resulting in the affected tissues being successfully removed. Then started the Anti Tuberculosis Treatment (ATT) and she has done a fabulous job of tolerating the treatment.” Said Dr. Benhur Joel – Consultant Pulmonologist at Rela Hospital.

At the time of her discharge, Mrs.Kannamal has regained her natural weight and now weighs 54 kg. She looks healthy and there are no signs of anemia. Her tests show all results are fine and she is back to normal. All that she has to now do is come for regular follow-up and maintain a nutrition diet,” the doctor added.

EBUS TBNA is cost-effective as it reduces the need for more morbid and costly invasive procedures like mediastinoscopy or thoracotomy. This technique aided the patient in receiving an early diagnosis and having a brief hospital stay added

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