A case of tuberculosis hepatitis diagnosed in a patient presenting with acute hepatitis / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Involvement of the liver is very common in military tuberculosis, but despite this fact, jaundice and hepatocellular dysfunction very rarely occur in this disease. Here, we report the case of a 59-year-old male patient who presented with acute hepatitis. After being admitted for fever and right upper quadrant pain for a 3-day period, military tuberculosis was diagnosed and treated with antituberculosis medication. Despite treatment, which was based on laboratory results and radiologic findings suggestive of acute hepatitis, fever persisted, jaundice developed, and hepatic enzyme levels increased. Percutaneous liver biopsy was performed to assist in the differential diagnosis of acute hepatitis and findings from the biopsy specimen revealed typical hepatic tuberculosis. Antituberculosis treatment was initiated, and the fever gradually subsided and hepatic enzyme levels decreased.