title: Adult respiratory distress syndrome and miliary tuberculosis.
abstract: Miliary tuberculosis presenting as fatal adult respiratory distress syndrome is reported in a 69-year-old man. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura led to splenectomy 2 years before admission and was currently treated with corticosteroids. Moderate dyspnea, a dry cough and weight loss were presenting clinical features, preceding respiratory failure by only a few days. In these patients with atypical symptoms early diagnosis and prompt antituberculous chemotherapy are life-saving. The diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis should be systematically considered in ARDS of unknown origin.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Department, St Pierre Hospital, Belgium.
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Dugernier
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brasseur
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shabani
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014391:Tuberculosis, Miliary / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents