Airway emergency in tuberculosis.
We report a case of acute fatal stridor in a patient newly diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. No evidence of direct airway encroachment was identified at autopsy. We review mechanisms by which tuberculosis may cause stridor and discuss the implications of co-existent HIV infection with reference to the recent literature. The report highlights the need for recognition of acute or evolving airway compromise as an uncommon manifestation of tuberculosis.
Matthews
P C
PC
Department of Critical Care, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK. pcmatthews@hotmail.com
Pickles
J
J
Berry
J
J
Salisbury
J R
JR
Barker
R D
RD
Ervine
M
M
D000328:Adult; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications*