[Abdominal tuberculosis: a retrospective series of 90 cases].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical, bacteriological, radiological and therapeutic features of abdominal tuberculosis in a series of 90 patients.


METHODS
This was a retrospective and descriptive multicentre study of 90 cases of abdominal tuberculosis conducted from June 1997 to June 2008. Diagnosis of tuberculosis was based on bacteriologic evidence in 12 cases, histological evidence in 55 cases and on clinical and radiologic features with favorable outcomes under specific treatment in the 23 remaining cases.


RESULTS
Thirty-one patients were male and 59 were female. The mean age of the patients was 41.5 years. Family history of tuberculosis was reported in three cases. Associated risk factors were: diabetes mellitus (five cases), ethylism (one case), post-hepatitis C cirrhosis (one case), systemic lupus erythematosus treated by corticosteroids (one case). Sites of involvement were: peritoneum (78 cases), liver (14 cases), gut (nine cases) and spleen (eight cases). Forty-eight patients (53,3%) had only an abdominal involvement, nine others patients (10%) had an abdominal involvement associated with intra-abdominal lymph nodes, 16 patients (17,8%) had a respiratory involvement (pulmonary, pleural and mediastinal lymph nodes), eight patients (8,8%) presented with an extra-abdominal and extra-respiratory involvement and 10 patients (11,1%) had respiratory and extra-respiratory disease associated with abdominal involvement. Among the 54 patients who underwent laparoscopy or laparotomy, diagnosis was evoked on macroscopic examination in 51.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopy and laparotomy are still helpful for the diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis, especially in the presence of peritoneal involvement.
Service de médecine interne, CHU Mongi-Slim, 2046 Sidi Daoud, La Marsa, Tunis, Tunisie. meyaabdelkeﬁ@yahoo.fr
M
M
Abdallah
T
T
Larbi
S
S
Hamzaoui
E
E
Mezlini
A
A
Harmel
M
M
Ennafaa
K
K
Bouslama
M
M
Labben
M
M
Ayari
N
N
Khalfallah
T
T
Najjar
S
S
M'rad
D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014395:Peritonitis, Tuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014385:Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D014386:Tuberculosis, Hepatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D014400:Tuberculosis, Splenic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000995:Antitubercular Agents