Intestinal perforation due to miliary tuberculosis in a patient with myasthenia gravis

Abstract

A man in his early 70s presented to the emergency department with a fall, following a history of fatigue and malodorous urine. On presentation, he was feverish, tachycardic and confused and was treated for presumed urinary sepsis. A chest radiograph showed increased opacification in the left upper lobe with calcification. CT imaging and bronchoalveolar lavage demonstrated miliary tuberculosis infection. His background included myasthenia gravis, which led to challenges in selecting appropriate antituberculosis treatment. During his stay, he developed sudden-onset abdominal pain due to intestinal perforation. He subsequently deteriorated and underwent multiple interventions, including a Hartmann’s procedure and ileocaecal resection. Histological examination of his sigmoid colon revealed abundant acid-fast bacilli. Unfortunately, the patient died due to multiorgan failure in the context of several complications. This case highlights intestinal perforation as a rare complication of miliary tuberculosis and emphasises the importance of being vigilant for this potential complication.