[A case of the active intestinal tuberculosis detected during the examination of the right pleural effusion].
A 76-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of fever and the right pleural effusion. On the analysis of pleural effusion, the total cell count was 6720/microliter with 95% lymphocytes, and ADA was 38.1 U/l. The culture of pleural effusion was negative, and the smear and PCR for Mycobacterium were also negative. For examinations, we performed eterography that showed cicatricial strictures of intestine. X-ray examination of the colonated colonoscopy showed ulcers (circular type), shortening of the colon, Bauhin's value insufficiency and diverticulum-like deformity. Then, she was diagnosed as intestinal tuberculosis. The smear and PCR of biopsy specimens from the lesion were positive, and antituberculotic therapy was effective. Finally, the culture of pleural effusion for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was positive after 8 weeks. We thought intestinal examination may be useful for the diagnosis of tuberculosis, when lymphocyte-rich exudative pleural effusion of unknown etiology is seen.
Department of Internal Medicine, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital.
J
J
Yamanouchi
T
T
Okada
Y
Y
Yamauchi
E
E
Yokota
I
I
Matsumoto
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014385:Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal / Q000175:diagnosis*