
Pulmonary intravascular talcosis is a rare condition occurring in intravenous drug users injecting oral medications. Talc results in a foreign-body granulomatous reaction giving a radiological haematogenic miliary appearance mimicking miliary tuberculosis. Drug users represent a population at risk for both these conditions and their distinction may be challenging.We reported the case of a man, 33 year-old, intravenous drug addict, detected by the health services because he was the partner of a person who died of contagious and multi-resistant tuberculosis. Chest X-ray and CT scan showed a typical miliary appearance. Despite negative microbiology, clinical diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis was retained. Due to the lack of radiological improvement despite appropriate antibiotic treatment, re-evaluation and trans-bronchial biopsy were undertaken. The presence of granulomas centered by birefringent foreign bodies in polarized light led to a diagnosis of pulmonary intravascular talcosis.In the presence of pulmonary miliary in an intravenous drug addict, intravascular talcosis should be suspected.
Adult, Male, Talc, Granuloma, Foreign-Body, Humans, Radiography, Thoracic, Vascular Diseases, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Lung
Adult, Male, Talc, Granuloma, Foreign-Body, Humans, Radiography, Thoracic, Vascular Diseases, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Lung
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