Rare concurrent extrapulmonary tuberculous pericarditis and pleuritis accompanied with lung silicosis

Abstract

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis could affect many organs beside lung airway and parenchyma. The mycobacterium tuberculosis can invade area such as the pleural and pericardium by lymphogenic, hematogenic, or direct infection. Patient with history exposure with silica (SiO2) have a high-risk factor developing tuberculosis or extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore, this study presents a rare case of pulmonary silicosis in a 38 years-old-man with tuberculosis pericarditis and pleuritis. The amount of silica particle found in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was 39,95 ppm SiO2, while the ADA test from the pericardium and pleural fluids was 35.4 U/L and 40.2 U/L, respectively. The patient underwent pericardiocentesis and thoracocentesis, received first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs, and resigned from work. After one month follow-up, the pericardial as well as pleural fluid totally disappeared. This disease can mimic any other disease. Early detection of risk factor for extrapulmonary tuberculosis and perform the right diagnostic and treatment will give a better outcome for the patient.

Keywords

• Tuberculous pericarditis
• Tuberculous pleuritis
• Silicosis