Colonic tuberculosis masquerading as colon cancer

Abstract

Isolated colonic tuberculosis (TB) is rare, and the symptoms are nonspecific making early diagnosis and management difficult. Although colonoscopy and biopsy is an important diagnostic modality, the features are variable and the distinction from other conditions of the colon, especially Crohn’s disease and cancer, may be impossible without surgical resection. We report a case of ascending colon TB which was mistaken for colonic cancer during colonoscopy, with non-specific results on biopsy. The diagnosis was finally made when the histopathology report was received. The diagnostic dilemma of colonic TB is discussed.

Colonic Tuberculosis Mimicking Ascending Colon Neoplasm: A Case Report

“…Conventional anti-tuberculosis consists of two months intensive phase of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide followed by four months combination of isoniazid and rifampicin [13]. Colonoscopy follow up should be conducted after completing anti-tuberculosis treatment [14], [15].…”

Case of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis mycobacterium mimicking a colon cancer

“…Intestinal TB is a rare diagnosis, especially in high-income countries, and isolated colon bacterium account for less than 3% of all presentations. 1 Histological identification is highly variable; only around 40% of cases specifically identify granulomas, with positive staining of the bacilli even less prevalent. 2 Clinical features of intestinal TB include abdominal pain, weight loss, fevers or night sweats and change in bowel habit.…”

“…2 Clinical features of intestinal TB include abdominal pain, weight loss, fevers or night sweats and change in bowel habit. 1 3 Colonoscopy findings are often equally variable, most commonly identifying ulcerated lesions with irregular mucosal surroundings; 1-3 however, lesions can result in luminal narrowing, 2 deformed bowel segments 1 or even polypoidal lesions, meaning a significant portion of cases convincingly mimic carcinomas. 3 The patient was referred to the specialist TB clinic, whereby further exploration of the relevant history revealed no contact with TB.…”

Clavicular osteomyelitis: a rare presentation of extra pulmonary tuberculosis

“…Isolated clavicular lesion without associated pulmonary lesion creates a diagnostic dilemma . A recent case report highlighted a case of TB of the ascending colon [5] and in the medial end of the clavicle in a patient undergoing dialysis [2]. …”