[Colonic tuberculosis]

Abstract

General improvement of life standard normally reduces tuberculous morbidity. However, the general surgeon is confronted with a significant rise of abdominal tuberculosis, especially the colonic form. Between 1990 and 1995, 6 patients with ileo-colonic tuberculosis were operated in the Surgical Department N. Gh. Lupu, of which 3 presented also the peritonitis form, and 2 patients had also a liver involvement. The clinical symptoms, the palpable abdominal mass in the right lower quadrant and the intraoperative aspect suggested usually a right colonic neoplasm. The diagnosis was established by histology. The management was right (ileo) hemicolectomy, followed by tuberculostatic treatment over one year. In conclusion, the diagnosis is still a matter of concern whenever a palpable abdominal mass is found, even in the absence of evolutive pulmonary tuberculosis. A frozen section from the resection piece is very important, because it enables early beginning of the tuberculostatic treatment.