When the Diagnosis is a Victim of the Circumstances

Authors

• João Afonso Rodrigues Internal Medicine, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal
• Pedro Brogueira Infectious Disease, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental, Lisbon, Portugal
• Sara Rodrigues Internal Medicine, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
• Margarida Cardoso Infectious Disease, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental, Lisbon, Portugal
• Tiago Pack Internal Medicine, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal

j.afonso.sr@gmail.com

Keywords

Abstract

Introduction: Haemoptysis is a common symptom which can sometimes mimic gastrointestinal bleeding.

Case description: We describe the case of a 31-year-old man who presented to the emergency department after an episode of sudden nausea and presumed massive haematemesis. The situation was interpreted as gastrointestinal bleeding but clinical evolution and greater attention to the anamnesis resulted in a diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and the provision of appropriate care.

Discussion: This report emphasizes the difficulty of differentiating between haemoptysis and haematemesis and the importance of a careful anamnesis and attention to all clinical circumstances for an accurate diagnosis.