Abdominal tuberculosis: the problem of diagnostic delay.
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.
Singh-Ranger
D
D
Department of Surgery, Northwick Park and St Mark's Hospital, Middlesex, UK.
Rockall
T
T
Narward
A H
AH
Haldane
M
M
Abrahams
R
R
Mcdonald
P
P
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012882:Skin Tests; D014385:Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal / Q000175:diagnosis*