title: Tuberculosis of the pancreas: report of two cases and review of the literature.
abstract: Tuberculosis of the pancreas is a clinical entity rarely described in the literature. The pancreas is biologically protected from infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, probably because of the presence of pancreatic enzymes that interfere with the seeding of M. tuberculosis. However, when pathogens are able to overcome the resistance, they can have diverse presentations, such as pancreatic masses that can mimic carcinoma, obstructive jaundice, pancreatitis, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Herein we describe 2 cases of pancreatic tuberculosis that presented as multicystic masses, and we review the literature to describe the diverse clinical manifestations of this condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, USA. cfranco@sph.emory.edu
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franco-Paredes
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jurado
authors.forename: Henry M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Blumberg
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications*