title: Abdominal tuberculosis: the problem of diagnostic delay.
abstract: Abdominal tuberculosis can be difficult to diagnose. In order to minimize diagnostic delay, an audit study showed that the Mantoux test and/or culture of ascitic fluid did not reveal tuberculosis immediately. Laparoscopy/laparotomy with Ziel-Nielson staining and culture of tissue biopsy always confirmed the diagnosis. It is suggested that biopsy should be the first line in investigating patients suspected of having abdominal tuberculosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Northwick Park and St Mark's Hospital, Middlesex, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Singh-Ranger
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rockall
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Narward
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haldane
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abrahams
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mcdonald
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012882:Skin Tests; D014385:Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal / Q000175:diagnosis*