Pulmonary Tuberculosis Presenting As Total Lung Consolidation and Acute Respiratory Failure An Unusual Presentation

Abstract

Tuberculosis has varied clinical and radiological presentations, ranging from constitutional symptoms with segmental involvement to severe forms with multiple lobar consolidation and high mortality. Though uncommon, respiratory failure can be a presenting feature of tuberculous consolidation of lungs, rarely requiring mechanical ventilation. We report a 27 year female diagnosed as having total left lung consolidation and respiratory failure who showed marked clinical and radiological improvement after taking anti-tubercular drugs. Knowledge of radiological presentations of the pulmonary tuberculosis such as patchy, poorly defined consolidation with/without cavitation, fibrosis, calcification, lung destruction, pleural effusion or miliary lesions can help in timely diagnosis and proper management of these cases. JMS 2016; 19(1):29-31