Bowel obstruction caused by intestinal tuberculosis: an update.
Tuberculosis is one of the most important communicable diseases worldwide, with an increasing incidence within the UK. The abdomen is involved in 11% of patients with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, and can provide a diagnostic challenge if not suspected. The authors report the case of a 31-year-old Sudanese female who presented with intestinal obstruction due to a mass caused by abdominal tuberculosis. Imaging revealed evidence of multifocal tuberculosis involving the ileo-caecal region with abdominal and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. She went on to have a limited right hemicolectomy and completed antitubercular therapy. It is important to consider abdominal tuberculosis when conditions such as Crohn's disease or gastrointestinal malignancy are being entertained in those from a high-risk background. Since diagnosis can be difficult, if clinical suspicion is strong, surgery is a safe option. Recommended management combines up to 12 months of antitubercular therapy with conservative surgery.
Orthopaedics Department, East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust, London, Norbury, UK. dr.nimeshpatel1@gmail.com
Nimesh
N
Patel
Chandni
C
Ondhia
Shabbir
S
Ahmed
D000328:Adult; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D014385:Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal / Q000150:complications*