[Gastrointestinal tuberculosis].
BACKGROUND
Intestinal tuberculosis usually is not contemplated as a possible cause of chronic abdominal pain; nevertheless, incidence of this disease is increasing even in well-developed countries.


METHODS
Four patients with intestinal tuberculosis who required surgical treatment.


RESULTS
All patients had a history of chronic abdominal pain, presented acute complications of the disease, and required surgery. Three patients had AIDS and the remaining patient had chronic renal failure.


CONCLUSIONS
Intestinal tuberculosis is a disease that should be considered as possible cause of chronic abdominal pain in patients with altered immunology.
Martínez Ordaz
José Luis
JL
Departamento de Gastrocirugía, Hospital de Especialidades de Centro Médico Nacional S XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. jlmo1968@hotmail.com
Benavides
Roberto Blanco
RB
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003113:Colonoscopy; D006801:Humans; D007077:Ileal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014385:Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents