Coeliac lymph node abscess: A case report of a rare manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death worldwide, especially in developing countries. It can affect any site in the body and have a myriad of presentations making diagnosis challenging. Tuberculous lymphadenitis in the abdomen is rare. We present a case of a 42-year-old man who presented with non-specific abdominal symptoms and was found to have an intraabdominal abscess on computed tomography scan of the abdomen. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided aspiration was performed, and tuberculosis was confirmed. This case highlights the importance of having a high clinical suspicion of tuberculosis even with vague symptoms in tuberculosis endemic countries. This would prevent unnecessary surgery as tuberculosis is responsive to anti-tuberculosis drugs.