[Pulmonary tuberculosis presenting as a lung mass in children: case report]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading infectious cause of death globally.
• Pulmonary involvement is common in TB, but tuberculoma is a rare manifestation.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric TB.

Observation:

• A 15-month-old girl presented with persistent fever, poor weight gain, and a lung abnormality on chest x-ray.
• Contact with a symptomatic individual and a positive tuberculin skin test (TST) were noted.
• Chest CT revealed a bulky left upper lobe mass, initially unresponsive to antibiotics.

Findings:

• Exploratory thoracoscopy and lung biopsy confirmed Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• The diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculoma as a primary manifestation of TB was established.
• Standard anti-tuberculosis therapy led to a favorable clinical evolution.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering atypical presentations of tuberculosis in children.
• Pulmonary tuberculoma should be included in the differential diagnosis for pediatric lung masses.
• Prompt microbiological confirmation and appropriate treatment are vital for managing pediatric TB effectively.