Journal List > Tuberc Respir Dis > v.63(2) > 1001129

Cho, Im, Chun, Ryu, Lee, Sim, Jang, Shim, and Bae: A Case of Multifocal Tuberculosis Mimicking Metastatic Malignancy

Abstract

Tuberculosis remains as a major public health problem worldwide. In addition to classic pulmonary tuberculosis, tuberculosis may sometimes present atypically. In the case of atypical tuberculosis, the unusual sites and properties that mimic other diseases can lead to a misdiagnosis and therapeutic delay. Abdominal and pharyngeal tuberculosis are uncommon extrapulmonary manifestations of tuberculosis. To the best of our knowledge, a combination of abdominal and pharyngeal tuberculosis with endobronchial tuberculosis has not been reported. We report a case of concurrent abdominal and pharyngeal tuberculosis in a patient with chronic endobronchial tuberculosis mimicking a metastatic malignancy on computed tomography and FDG-PET.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Chest CT scan obtained at admission shows a heterogenous low attenuated mass lesion with calcification(arrow).
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Figure 2
Abdomen and pelvic CT scan shows a heterogenous low density mass lesion with calcification(arrow).
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Figure 3
FDG-PET shows hypermetabolic masses at left nasopharynx(arrow), pelvic cavity(arrowhead) and left lower lung(black arrow). Standardized uptake values(SUVs) of nasopharynx, pelvic cavity and left lower lung are 7.1, 4.1 and 3.1, respectively.
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Figure 4
Neck CT scan shows rim-enhancing low density lesions at left nasopharyx and oropharynx (black arrow).
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Figure 5
Bronchoscopy shows an endobronchial mass covered with transparent membrane obstructing bronchus.
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Figure 6
Chronic granulomatous inflammation with caseation necrosis is seen on this section obtained from pharynx. (H&E ×400)
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