Extension of pulmonary tuberculosis after fibreoptic bronchoscopy.

Two cases are described in which the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was suspected on both clinical and radiological grounds. Sputum smear and culture were negative for acid fast bacilli. Consequently a bronchoscopy and bronchial washings from the affected lobe were undertaken. While this procedure achieved a positive diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, it also resulted in a significant extension of the disease.