Miliary tuberculosis
Miliary Tuberculosis
Miliary tuberculosis (pronunciation: mil-ee-air-ee too-ber-kyoo-loh-sis) is a form of tuberculosis that is characterized by a wide dissemination into the human body and by the tiny size of the lesions (1–5 mm). Its name comes from a distinctive pattern seen on a chest radiograph of many tiny spots distributed throughout the lung fields with the appearance similar to millet seeds—thus the term "miliary" tuberculosis.
Etymology
The term "miliary tuberculosis" is derived from the Latin word miliarius (pertaining to millet seed) and tuberculosis (a serious bacterial infection). The name was given due to the appearance of the lung tissue in affected individuals, which resembles millet seeds in size and distribution.
Symptoms
Miliary tuberculosis may infect any number of organs, including the lungs, liver, and spleen. Symptoms include fever, chills, weakness, weight loss, and night sweats.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis may involve a chest X-ray, which shows many small spots in the lungs. It is also diagnosed by finding Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria in the sputum, gastric washings, cerebrospinal fluid, or tissue biopsy.
Treatment
Treatment typically involves a regimen of four antitubercular drugs for a period of six to nine months. It is important to take the medications exactly as prescribed to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains of the bacteria.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Miliary tuberculosis
- Wikipedia's article - Miliary tuberculosis
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