Miliary Tuberculosis Mimicking Multiple Myeloma: A Rare Case

Abstract

Miliary tuberculosis or disseminated tuberculosis is one of India's most typical forms of tuberculosis. It can have varied presentations, from classical pulmonary disease to affection of extra-pulmonary sites, the most common being the vertebral column. With a wide array of clinical manifestations, differentiating disseminated tuberculosis from common malignancies is no less than a herculean task for a clinician. Keeping a high index of clinical suspicion and detailed work up in the right direction can save the clinician and the patient from an exhaustive ordeal of futile investigations. Here, we present a rare case of miliary tuberculosis masquerading as a common malignancy of the elderly, re-emphasizing the need for a systematic approach to such confusing presentations.

Keywords

• miliary tuberculosis
• multiple myeloma
• cryptic tuberculosis
• CRAB

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