title: [Abdominal tuberculosis].
abstract: 20 cases of abdominal tuberculosis (TB) were evaluated; from these, 10% with intestinal TB without peritoneal involvement and 90% presenting TB of peritoneal localization. 80% of the patients showed clinical manifestation in other organs. Pleura-lung alterations were found in 83% of the cases after X-ray chest examination. The diagnosis of abdominal TB was based on finding of caseating tuberculoid granuloma (65%), anti-TB therapeutic response (30%) and positive observation of acid-fast bacillus in sputum (5%). The conclusions from this review are that: 1) Patients with chronic illness, negative cultures and clinical evidence of infectious etiology are highly suspicious; 2) Analysis of pathologic specimens was the most accurate diagnostic method; 3) when abdominal TB is suspected a stepwise methodology must be followed to confirm diagnosis; 4) Anti-TB therapy must be started as soon as diagnosis is confirmed.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Vías Digestivas, Hospital Central Antonio María Pineda.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salazar
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Useche
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vetencourt
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nass
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rangel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014395:Peritonitis, Tuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014385:Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014687:Venezuela / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents
vernacular_title: Tuberculosis abdominal.