[Esophageal tuberculosis: an unusual localization in an immunocompetent patient]

Abstract

Oesophageal tuberculosis is a rare localisation for extrapulmonary tuberculosis. This report describes the case of a 30-year-old immunocompetent woman with dysphagia, fever and weight loss. Endoscopic examination revealed an ulcerated lesion in the third part of the oesophagus strongly suggesting oesophageal carcinoma. Histologic samples showed epithelioid cells granuloma in the submucosa. Diagnosis was later confirmed by acid-fast bacilli positive gastric aspirates and a positive Mantoux test using the tuberculin reaction. Barium swallow revealed a narrowing in the third oesophagus. A chest x-ray revealed a infiltrated lesion and a mediastinal lymph node. The patient was put on antitubercular treatment. On follow-up after 3 months, dysphagia, fever, weight loss had disappeared and the ulcerated lesion of oesophagus had improved. The subsequent course of the patient is not known, since she was lost to follow-up.