title: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis misdiagnosed as sputum-negative pulmonary tuberculosis.
abstract: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), also known as cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis, is one of a spectrum of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. IPF is an increasingly common condition which poses many diagnostic and therapeutic challenges leading to misdiagnosis and mismanagement. We presented a 55-year-old male textile trader who was initially managed as sputum-negative pulmonary tuberculosis before histology report. He presented to our clinic with Breathlessness and cough of 3 years and 2.5 years, respectively. He had commenced anti-tuberculosis two months before presentation without significant relief. General Physical examination and vital signs were essentially normal. SPO2 was 96% on room air. Chest Examination revealed end-inspiratory bi-basal velcro-like crackles. Other systemic examinations were normal. Radiological examination by way of chest X- ray and chest CT showed features suggestive of IPF. The patient also had open Lung biopsy for histology and spirometry which demonstrated restrictive ventilatory function pattern. A diagnosis of Interstitial lung disease probably Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis was entertained. He was commenced on Tab prednisolone, Tab Rabeprazole, with minimal improvement. IPF have often been misdiagnosed and treated as pulmonary tuberculosis with unfavorable outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Muhammad Danasabe
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Isah
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Aminu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Abdullahi A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Abba
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Umar
mesh_terms: D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D054990:Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*