Work

Tuberculosis: The Master Masquerader

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: A 54-year-old male presented with a large, left-sided hemorrhagic exudative pleural effusion characterized by lymphocytic predominance and a low adenosine deaminase (ADA) level. A pleural biopsy was performed via medical thoracoscopy. The results of histopathology and GeneXpert-MTB/RIF (Mycobacterium tuberculosis/Rifampicin) (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, California, USA) were inconclusive. PET-CT imaging revealed heightened metabolic activity in the mediastinal lymph nodes, further supported by endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), showing granulomatous lymphadenitis with caseous necrosis. The patient was diagnosed with tuberculous pleural effusion and showed clinical improvement after initiating anti-tubercular therapy.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.80221

Authors: Abarna Poornima, Adarsha Shetty, Nandakishore Baikunje, Giridhar Belur, Chandramouli M T

Institution: K S Hegde Medical Academy

Language: English

Topic: Pleural and Pulmonary Diseases

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4408167619

FWCI:

Cites: 14

Cited by:

Related to: 10