Endoscopic diagnosis of colonic tuberculosis.
BACKGROUND
GI tuberculosis is a diagnostic challenge, particularly in the absence of evidence of pulmonary infection. It may mimic many other abdominal diseases such as other infectious processes, tumors, and Crohn's disease. In the absence of positive laboratory and radiologic tests, the diagnosis is often established definitively by obtaining a surgical specimen. Colonoscopy, however, has been used successfully to diagnose the disease and thus avoid the morbidity and mortality associated with exploratory laparotomy.


METHODS
An evaluation was conducted of colonoscopic features in 10 patients with colonic tuberculosis.


METHODS
In all cases there was ileocecal involvement; total colonic involvement was found in only 1 case. The colonoscopic appearance included the following: ulcerated lesions, sessile firm polyps, masses, and small diverticula, ranging from 3 to 5 mm in diameter. In 5 of our patients the diagnosis was confirmed bacteriologically, in 3 with endoscopic biopsy material, and in 2 by sputum examination. In all cases antituberculous therapy produced remarkable symptom and endoscopic improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
This report highlights the importance of colonoscopy in the diagnosis of tuberculous involvement of the GI tract.
Naga
M I
MI
Kasr El-Aini Hospitals and Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Okasha
H H
HH
Ismail
Z
Z
El-Fatatry
M
M
Hassan
S
S
Monir
B E
BE
D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003113:Colonoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014385:Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000995:Antitubercular Agents