Atypical Presentation of Tuberculosis in Renal Failure: A Case Mimicking Lung Carcinoma

A 44-year-old patient with CRF, with findings indicating that TB can mimic any other disorder in chronic renal failure including bronchial carcinoma, is presented. The patient was admitted with fe­ver of unknown origin. Chest X-ray revealed left hilar enlargement. Computerized tomography (CT) of the thorax confirmed a mediasti­nal mass surrounding the large vessels. Fiberoptic bronchoscopic fin­dings suggested malignancy, but the histopathological diagnosis was TB. The mass showed regression with appropriate anti-TB therapy. Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a condition that increases suscepti­bility to tuberculosis (TB) and predisposes to atypical presentations. Great caution must be observed in interpreting CT and bronchos­copic findings in patients with CRF.