Miliary Tuberculosis and Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract

Three patients with miliary tuberculosis developed the adult respiratory distress syndrome. In 2 patients this complication developed despite treatment with antituberculous drugs. The 3rd patient developed the syndrome, but miliary tuberculosis was not suspected. The presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation in all 3 cases suggests a possible pathophysiologic relation. Miliary tuberculosis should be considered in patients presenting with adult respiratory distress syndrome of unknown cause.