Abdominal tuberculosis. A 10-year review

Abstract

Clinical experience with 125 patients with abdominal tuberculosis (46 of whom had intestinal tuberculosis, 8 mesenteric tuberculous lymphadenitis and 71 the peritoneal form) is presented. The diagnosis, especially in the intestinal cases, was seldom considered and a wide variety of conditions was simulated. Ileocaecal tuberculosis accounted for only 11 (24%) of the intestinal cases, while 17 patients (37%) had more distal involvement. A number of patients with diffuse colonic tuberculosis were seen. Chest radiographs showed that 51% of the 125 patients had active tuberculosis, but were completely normal in 38% of cases. Tuberculin skin testing was negative in 45% of cases. The pathogenesis, pathological features, diagnostic difficulties and complications are discussed, and the importance of considering the diagnosis is stressed.