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Case Reports
. 2020 May 23;12(5):e8247.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.8247.

Tuberculosis Presenting as Hepatic and Splenic Microabscesses

Saurabh Gaba  1 , Ashish Dua  2 , Nayana Gaba  3 , Monica Gupta  1 , Suraj Agrawal  4   5
Affiliations
Case Reports

Tuberculosis Presenting as Hepatic and Splenic Microabscesses

Saurabh Gaba et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in developing countries. It can affect any organ of the body, and can have a multitude of clinical presentations. We present the case of a 22-year-old male who presented with fever, abdominal pain, and weight loss, and was found to have enlarged liver and spleen, both studded with multiple microabscesses. He had deranged liver functions, mild anemia, and elevated acute phase reactants. Examination of the aspirate from the liver did not reveal any organism on microscopy or culture. Based on the demographics, history of contact with a TB patient, positive Mantoux test, and clinical and radiological features, the patient was successfully managed with empirical treatment for TB.

Keywords: abdominal; abscess; liver; microabscess; spleen; tb; tuberculosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Positive Mantoux test
Induration (24 mm) with a ring of erythema over the forearm, 72 hours after intradermal injection of 0.1 mL of purified protein derivative. In patients with no known risk factors for tuberculosis, induration of 15 mm or more is considered as a positive test.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Axial section of contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen
Microabscesses in the liver (black arrows) and spleen (white arrow) visible as small round, hypodense lesions with minimal peripheral enhancement.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Axial section of contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen
Microabscesses in the liver (black arrows) and spleen (white arrows) visible as small round, hypodense lesions with minimal peripheral enhancement.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Axial section of contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen
Microabscesses in the liver (black arrows) and spleen (white arrow) visible as small round, hypodense lesions with minimal peripheral enhancement.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Coronal section of contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen
Microabscesses in the liver (black arrows) visible as small round, hypodense lesions with minimal peripheral enhancement.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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