The challenges of an unusual case of miliary tuberculosis control: A case report from Syria

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, with the Eastern Mediterranean accounting for 8.1% of cases. Miliary tuberculosis (MTB) is a rare form, representing 1%-2% of TB cases and 8% of extrapulmonary cases. This report discusses a 39-year-old woman's case who experienced a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, with a normal chest X-ray delaying her diagnosis of MTB and leading to severe outcomes. It highlights the limitations of chest radiography in detecting MTB and emphasizes the need for chest CT or MRI to identify typical miliary patterns. Prompt treatment is crucial in developing countries facing medical resource shortages due to war and poverty to prevent severe complications from MTB.

Keywords

• Miliary tuberculosis
• Tuberculous meningitis
• Diagnostic challenges
• Case report