title: Gallbladder tuberculosis camouflaging as gallbladder cancer - case series and review focussing on treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gallbladder tuberculosis, in an endemic region, is a common infectious etiology affecting a rare organ. The high prevalence of carcinoma gallbladder in the endemic regions of tuberculosis, like India, poses diagnostic dilemma.
  
  
  METHODS
  We are reporting three cases of gallbladder tuberculosis mimicking carcinoma gallbladder of which the first two cases were operated with a presumptive diagnosis of malignancy. The third case presented to us after laparoscopic cholecystectomy elsewhere and on evaluation was found to have disseminated tuberculosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lack of pathognomonic clinical and radiological characters results in histological surprise of gallbladder tuberculosis following surgery performed for other indications like malignancy. In preoperatively diagnosed patients medical management plays pivotal role in management. Surgery is required in symptomatic patients. On the other hand, histologically proven cases following surgical resection require antitubercular therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Previous history of tuberculosis or concomitant tuberculosis at other sites may provide clue to the diagnosis of biliary tuberculosis. Antitubercular treatment after surgery plays an important role in preventing further dissemination.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Gautham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Krishnamurthy
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Institute of Medical, Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India.
authors.forename: Harjeet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Jayapal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rajendran
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Vishal
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Thakur Deen
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Balan Louis
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Gaspar
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Rakesh Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Vasishta
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Rajinder
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singh
keywords: antitubercular therapy; carcinoma gallbladder; gallbladder tuberculosis; radical cholecystectomy