Maintaining sharp focus on a grainy film: Miliary pattern in an elderly woman with acute respiratory failure

Abstract

An elderly woman with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis reportedly diagnosed and treated 30 years prior to presentation was found unresponsive at home. Chest imaging revealed innumerable pulmonary nodules worrisome for an infectious process, specifically tuberculosis. The patient deteriorated rapidly and in accordance with her wishes, aggressive interventions were withheld. She died within 48 h from respiratory failure. A limited chest autopsy was performed and revealed the cause of death as lymphangitic spread of cancer from a primary lung adenocarcinoma.