title: Tuberculosis of the pancreas diagnosed with needle aspiration.
abstract: Tuberculosis of the pancreas is very rare and can present with many signs and symptoms, including obstructive jaundice, weight loss and a mass in the head of the pancreas. Hence the diagnosis of pancreatic tuberculosis remains a challenge and a high index of suspicion is required. If a tumour is suspected then an ultrasound- or CT-guided fine needle aspiration should be performed. Even if the initial microbiological results are negative, using conventional techniques, PCR can yield more rapid results and avoid an unnecessary laparotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Earling Hospital, Southall, UK. mrariaz@hotmail.com
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Riaz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Robshaw
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Isla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004977:Ethambutol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010179:Pancreas / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D004977:Ethambutol; D007538:Isoniazid; D012293:Rifampin