Pulmonary Tuberculosis with Elevated CEA and Positive PET-CT

Background Pulmonary tuberculosis presenting as solitary pulmonary nodules in imaging is sometimes difficult to differentiate from lung cancer and is more likely to be misdiagnosed when accompanied by elevated CEA and positive PET-CT findings. Methods By reporting a case of misdiagnosed lung cancer, which was confirmed to be pulmonary tuberculosis by lung biopsy, a joint literature analysis was performed to raise clinicians' awareness of isolated nodules in the lung. Results With a series of ancillary tests, we initially considered the nodule to be malignant, and the lung biopsy pathology eventually confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis. Conclusions When chest imaging suggests the presence of malignant features in solitary pulmonary nodules, invasive procedures can be performed appropriately to clarify the nature of the lesion. The diagnosis cannot be made blindly to ensure that no incorrect diagnosis is made nor wrong treatment given.