A Surviving Case of Disseminated Tuberculosis Complicated with Severe Respiratory Failure, Pancytopenia, DIC, Drug Induced Fever and Pneumothorax in an Elderly Patient

Abstract

We reported a survival case of a 78-year-old female with disseminated tuberculosis complicated with severe respiratory failure, pancytopenia, DIC, drug induced fever and pneumothorax. Atypical symptoms and presence of chronic illness make the early diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis in the elderly difficult. In this report, we emphasized that both a high awareness of possible clinical diagnoses and the performance of some clinical procedures including bronchoalveolar lavage were useful. Disseminated tuberculosis in the elderly with multiple complications which is rare condition, was discussed.