Tuberculosis of the oesophagus masquerading as ulcerated tumour

Abstract

We report on a 19-year-old Turkish girl who was admitted with suspected oesophageal tumour. A diagnosis of tuberculous oesophagitis was made on the basis of the granulomatous oesophagitis, the country of origin of the girl and the positive response to antituberculosis therapy. It is concluded that tuberculous oesophagitis should be considered when common causes of oesophagitis fail to be established and granulomas are found histologically.