Autopsy case of miliary tuberculosis with cerebral involvement in renal failure

We encountered an autopsy case of renal failure complicated by cerebral tuberculosis. The patient was hospitalized due to disturbance of consciousness, and dialysis therapy was performed because of end-stage renal failure. Approximately 1 week later, abnormal shadows were observed on chest X-ray, and various examinations were performed until the diagnosis was finally determined as miliary tuberculosis. Disturbance of consciousness was exacerbated, despite the administration of antituberculosis drugs and other treatments, and the patient died on the 105th hospital day. Pathological examinations demonstrated miliary tuberculosis associated with intracranial involvement, in addition to contracted kidneys. In patients with end-stage renal failure, the risk of developing tuberculosis, miliary tuberculosis in particular, is reported to be much higher than in normal subjects. However, the diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis is difficult to establish, because of nonspecific symptoms and the low rate of detection of acid-fast bacteria from the sputum. Comprehensive understanding of the results of frequent culture examinations of sputum and blood, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of cerebrospinal fluid, as well as albumin concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid, are considered useful in diagnosing intracranial tuberculosis. Although cerebral tuberculoma is rare, prolonged disturbance of consciousness may be related to cerebral tuberculosis. Therefore, particular attention should be paid to patients with end-stage renal failure complicated by disturbance of consciousness. Received: October 9, 1998 / Accepted: February 23, 1999