Mediastinal tuberculosis: An unusual clinical presentation

Abstract

The described case is of a 43-year-old man who presented with fever, severe dysphagia and dyspnea. Computed tomography scan revealed several mediastinal inhomogeneous masses. A multiloculated pleural effusion was also present. The patient underwent right thoracotomy, debridement of pleural cavity, opening of mediastinal pleura and evacuation of several multiloculated abscesses. Postoperative course was uneventful. Culture of samples taken at operation grew M. tuberculosis fully drug sensitive. Outcome was fully satisfactory. This report shows an unusual presentation of mediastinal tuberculosis. (Ind J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2010; 26: 38-40)