Tuberculous polyserositis of 13-years-oldteenager

Abstract

Objective: This article aims to present the case of a 13yearsold teenager, female, with tuberculosis polyserositis. Case description: Patient, female, 13, began not measured fever, asthenia and progressive increase in abdominal volume. Referred dyspnea in the supine position. In the additional tests there were ascites, pericardial effusion, atelectasis in the base of the right hemithorax and bilateral pleural effusion. CBC was unspecific, increased VHS, other evidence of inflammatory activity unchanged, PPD non-reactor and negative serology. Rheumatic diseases have been ruled out. Held diagnostic puncture of the ascites fluid, the ADA was positive, which justified empirical treatment with RIPE: rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. Clinical improvement was observed quickly. Discussion: Tuberculosis polyserositis is a form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, an uncommon condition which can occur at any age. The inflammatory tuberculosis effusion also can occur in any of the serous cavities: pleural, pericardial or peritoneal. When there is the involvement of more than one serous, it is called “polyserositis”. Clinical presentation of polyserositis is the sum of symptoms from the involvement of each serous. The treatment is the RIPE schema (rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol) and can be started only with the presumptive diagnosis, assisting the completion of definitivediagnosis.