title: Pancreatic Tuberculosis: A Puzzle for Physicians. A Rare Case and Review of Literature.
abstract: Pancreatic Tuberculosis is an uncommon form of extra pulmonary tuberculosis that resembles malignancy of pancreas and serve as a diagnostic challenge for physicians. Conservative management with Anti Tuberculosis Therapy (ATT) will suffice for pancreatic tuberculosis whereas a malignancy may require major surgeries which may lead to significant morbidity. Here, we discuss the case of a female patient who presented with abdominal pain and vomiting and is a known case of chronic calcific pancreatitis. Radiological findings were that of malignancy of the pancreas. Enteroscopy showed pus flowing out from the duodenum. Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of the pancreas revealed acid fast bacilli. The patient was treated successfully with ATT. Timely diagnosis of this rare form of extra pulmonary tuberculosis can thus help avoid unwanted resections done for presumed malignancy, for which a high index of suspicion is needed.
authors.affiliation: PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research , Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India .
authors.forename: Prashanth Ashok
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: HOD, Department of Liver Transplant Surgery, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research , Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India .
authors.forename: Gursharan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Consultant, Department of Liver Transplant Surgery, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research , Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: John Biku
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Consultant, Department of Liver Transplant Surgery, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research , Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India .
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Swaminathan
authors.affiliation: HOD, Department of Gasteroenterology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research , Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India .
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Venkatakrishnan
keywords: Anti tuberculosis therapy; Endoscopic ultrasound; Pancreas