Duodenal tuberculosis

Abstract

The clinical and radiological features in 30 cases of duodenal tuberculosis are presented. The patients are divisible into two groups on the basis of their presenting features. Twenty-two had symptoms and signs of gastric or duodenal obstruction, and eight patients had dyspepsia suggesting peptic ulceration. In the first group, laporotomy showed that the duodenal obstruction was due to extrinsic compression by matted tuberculous lymph nodes in the majority; there was only five intrinsic strictures. In patients with dyspepsia there were bulbar and post-bulbar ulcers accompanied by more widespread mucosal changes, induration, and periduodenal lymphadenopathy. Bypass procedures were performed to relieve obstruction; no resection was possible because of the adherence of the lymph node masses.