[A case of tuberculous mesenteric lymphadenitis detected by abdominal symptom after 4 months' antituberculous chemotherapy against pulmonary tuberculosis]

Abstract

We reported a case of tuberculous mesenteric lymphadenitis. A twenty three year old man was admitted to our hospital with pulmonary tuberculosis on May, 1988. Chest X ray findings improved after 4 months' antituberculous chemotherapy, but he complained of right lower abdominal pain and a mass with tenderness. Barium series of gastro-intestinal tract showed evidence of extrinsic compression on the intestine. Abdominal CT showed rim enhancement and a multiloculated appearance, and the ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic mass. But we did not make a definite preoperative diagnosis, therefore exploratory operation was done. An abscess with caseous granuloma was found in the mesenteric lymphnodes removed at laparotomy.