A case of primary pulmonary tuberculosis presenting as foreign body aspiration

An 18-month-old child was hospitalized with presumptive diagnosis of foreign body aspiration. Chest radiography revealed atelectasis in the right lower lobe. Foreign body was not seen at rigid bronchoscopy. Tuberculin skin test was 11 mm with one scar of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine. Computerized tomography of thorax revealed conglomerating lymphadenopathy in the right hilus and calcified lymphadenopathy as well as pneumonic consolidation of the right lower lobe. Tuberculosis was diagnosed based on his tuberculin skin test and thorax computerized tomography. This case is presented to emphasize that tuberculosis should be included to the differential diagnosis of children that present with signs and symptoms of foreign body aspiration and atelectasis.