Genitourinary tuberculosis in Nigeria; a review of thirty-one cases.
OBJECTIVE
To report and discuss the characteristics of genitourinary tuberculosis as observed in a sub-Saharan African setting, where reports suggest its rarity despite reported high incidence and prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis.


METHODS
Thirty one consecutive patients with discharge diagnoses of genitourinary tuberculosis seen in a small community-based hospital over a five-year period were retrospectively studied.


RESULTS
There were 28 males and three females, with a mean age of 37.6 (SD 11.5) years. Forty- three sites were involved in seven organs: epididymis 25 (58.1%), kidney 7 (16.3%), testis 4 (9.3%), bladder 3 (7.0%), ureter 2 (4.7%), prostate 1 (2.3%), and cord of the testis 1 (2.3%). The commonest presenting features were scrotal/testicular mass with or without pain/tenderness (80.6%), fever/headache (51.6%), and dysuria (22.6%). Other common features were back, loin, or abdominal pain/tenderness. hydrocoele, scrotal abscess, and haematuria. 26.9% had evidence of concurrent or previous pulmonary tuberculosis, and 9.1% were positive on HIV 1 & 11 screening.


CONCLUSIONS
With the prevailing conditions in sub-Saharan Africa and most of the developing world and the slightly different characteristics of the disease in our environment, diagnosis of genito-urinary tuberculosis may be difficult. It is advised that patients with unexplained symptoms in the urinary tract should be investigated for tuberculosis.
Orakwe
J C
JC
Department Of Surgery, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria. jayceeorakwe@yahoo.com
Okafor
P I S
PI
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014401:Tuberculosis, Urogenital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents