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Case Reports
. 2021 Jan 28;13(1):e12958.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.12958.

Isolated Splenic Tuberculosis: A Diagnostic Conundrum

Sahil Grover  1 , Yajur Arya  1 , Saurabh Gaba  1 , Monica Gupta  1 , Arshi Syal  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Isolated Splenic Tuberculosis: A Diagnostic Conundrum

Sahil Grover et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Tuberculosis is an established cause of pyrexia of unknown origin and can implicate practically any human organ system. Splenic involvement is common in disseminated or miliary tuberculosis following hematogenous spread, but isolated splenic involvement is a very rare phenomenon. We report the case of a 30-year-old immunocompetent female who presented with high-grade fever and dull aching pain in the left hypochondrium for three months. Laboratory data provided no diagnostic information. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed an enlarged spleen with multiple small hypoechoic lesions that were corroborated on computed tomography. No pulmonary involvement or primary focus of infection was discernible elsewhere. Splenic fine needle aspiration cytology helped clinch a histopathological diagnosis of isolated splenic tuberculosis. Administration of anti-tubercular therapy resulted in resolution of the disease and an excellent outcome in our patient.

Keywords: isolated splenic tuberculosis; pyrexia of unknown origin; spleen.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Abdominal CT scan showing splenomegaly with multiple hypoechoic lesions.
CT, computed tomography
Figure 2
Figure 2. Splenic aspirate showing epithelioid cell granulomas.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Splenic aspirate showing epithelioid cells.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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