Case Report

Miliary Tuberculosis in a Patient With Eosinophilic Fasciitis

Authors: Bernardino Roca, MD, Maria Angeles Bennasar, MD, Ana Pitarch, MD

Abstract

The fibrosing disorders represent a diverse group of uncommon chronic diseases that include systemic sclerosis, eosinophilic fasciitis, eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome, toxic oil syndrome, and localized forms of fibrosis. A rare case of eosinophilic fasciitis is reported. The patient was a 61-year-old female who presented with generalized massive edema and eosinophilia. Signs of common edema-producing diseases, such as heart failure, were absent. Corticosteroids were initiated with slow improvement in edema. Over the ensuing months, miliary tuberculosis and tenosynovitis of her left hand and left foot developed, which responded to appropriate treatment. Moreover, prominent induration, hyperpigmentation, and coarse puckering of the skin gradually took place. Other conditions, especially neoplasms and infections, have been described in association with eosinophilic fasciitis, but this is the first reported case of miliary tuberculosis associated with the disease.


Key Points


* Eosinophilic fasciitis is one of the fibrosing disorders; other diseases of the group include systemic sclerosis, eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome, toxic oil syndrome, and localized forms of fibrosis.


* Miliary tuberculosis is an uncommon modality of tuberculosis, characterized by nonspecific and protean manifestations.


* Several conditions have been described in patients with eosinophilic fasciitis; a case of miliary tuberculosis associated with the disease is reported.

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