Pulmonary miliary sarcoidosis masquerading the reactivation of tuberculosis 30 years later

Abstract

Key clinical message: Sarcoidosis may occur after treatment with pulmonary tuberculosis and requires differential diagnosis from tuberculosis reactivation. Miliary sarcoidosis should be promptly differentiated from miliary tuberculosis associated with high mortality.

Abstract: Clinical, histological, and radiological similarities between sarcoidosis and tuberculosis render differential diagnosis challenging. The association between these two diseases has long been discussed, although the coexistence or subsequent occurrence of tuberculosis and sarcoidosis is rare. We report a case of miliary sarcoidosis that developed 30 years after tuberculous pleurisy treatment. Sarcoidosis may occur after treatment with pulmonary tuberculosis and requires differential diagnosis from tuberculosis reactivation. Although miliary sarcoidosis is uncommon, it should be promptly differentiated from miliary tuberculosis associated with high mortality. This study reignites the debate on the causal association between tuberculosis and sarcoidosis.

Keywords: granuloma; high‐resolution computed tomography; miliary tuberculosis; sarcoidosis.