Objective. To describe the clinical, biochemical, microbiologic, radiologic and histological features and outcome of intestinal TB.Methods. Medical records of patients diagnosed with intestinal TB were reviewed. Cases were considered bacteriologically-confirmed if intestinal tissue was positive on smear culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and clinically-diagnosed if with clinical, histologic, and radiologic evidence of extra-pulmonary TB. Results. Fifteen patients [Mean (SD) age: 13 (4) years; 53% females] were included. One was bacteriologicallyconfirmed; and fourteen were clinically-diagnosed. Fever (87%) and abdominal pain (73%) were commonly seen. Seven (47%) had anemia, 5 (33%) leukocytosis and 10 (71%) hypoalbuminemia. Eleven (73%) were positive on smear or TB PCR of various specimens. Nine of 10 (90%) patients with an abdominal CT scan had thickening of bowel loops. Three with intestinal biopsy demonstrated caseation granuloma. Fourteen patients were given quadruple anti-TB medications. Six had surgery, 8 had no disease-related complications, 4 died of sepsis and 3 were lost to follow up.Conclusion. Intestinal TB presents with non-specific clinical and laboratory features. Radiologic findings may provide a clue to the diagnosis. Histologic confirmation in intestinal tissue was only seen in a few cases. The prognosis was favorable for patients who completed the anti-TB treatment.
A 12-year-old female had a three-year history of fever, non-bilious vomiting and abdominal pain. Upper gastrointestinal series showed a filling defect at the duodenum. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy exhibited circumferentialmass extending from the duodenal bulb to the 2nd part of the duodenum which on histology disclosed chronicgranulomatous inflammation. Chest X-ray suggested miliary tuberculosis; endotracheal tube aspirate was PCRpositive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Patient was diagnosed as disseminated tuberculosis of the duodenumand lungs. Quadruple anti-tuberculosis medication was started but patient succumbed to nosocomial sepsis.
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