Miliary tuberculosis masquerading as pyrexia of obscure origin: A case report

Abstract

The diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis may be difficult as clinical features are often non-specific and plain chest radiograph may fail to reveal classical miliary shadows, even in endemic areas. A 48 year old immune
competent male with pyrexia of obscure origin is presented. The diagnosis was made with the aid of computed tomogram of the chest as plain chest radiograph was apparently normal and sputum examination for alcohol acid fast bacilli was negative. He responded well to anti-tuberculosis drugs. The significance of imaging techniques in the diagnosis of this disease when routine conventional tests are unhelpful is emphasized.