Disseminated tuberculosis presenting as an upper-airway obstruction / Faye Kathreen B. Ocampo, Arlette Sanchez-Samaniego and Michael Ian Sta. Maria.

Includes bibliographical references.

Abstract: Varying of Disseminated Tuberculosis have been used, usually combining diagnostic, bacteriologic and histopathologic evidences of multi-organ involvement. This multi-organ involvement results in the variability of its clinical manifestation, usually non-specific and depends on which organ it affects making it hard to detect. In this case report, we present a 39-year-old woman of Filipino decent presenting with voice hoarseness, progressive weight lost and difficulty of breathing in a community primary care clinic. On examination, she was underweight, with multiple posterior cervical lymphadenopathies and stridor on lung auscultation. Thinking of an upper airway obstruction, the patient was immediately referred to a tertiary hospital where a collaborative multi-diciplinary team of Family Physician, Otolaryngologist, Radiologist, Ophthalmologist, Orthopedic, Surgeon, Cardiologist, Infectious Disease Specialist, Pulmonologist Gastroenterologist, Endocrinologist and Social worker managed the large retropharyngeal abscess, cause by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pott's disease and hepatic Tuberculosis. In this case report the importance of early recognition, referral, multi-diciplinary approach and transition of care are emphasized.

Research - Department of Community & Family Medicine