The Case of the Young Male with a Longstanding History of Dyspeptic Symptoms: Peritoneal Tuberculosis

Abstract

Portal vein thrombosis associated with peritoneal tuberculosis is an uncommon manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. We report one such case of a 33-year-old male with a one-year history of dyspepsia, having been on proton pump inhibitors all this time with temporary relief. In view of ongoing symptoms, an endoscopy was done, which at first showed duodenal ulcer. On repeat endoscopy after an interval, there was evidence of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, which prompted a host of investigations in the patient. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan revealed extensive omento-peritoneal involvement along with a hypodense lesion in the liver with interval development of portal vein thrombosis on a CT scan of the abdomen. The biopsy of the hepatic lesion showed granulomatous inflammation. Faced with a diagnostic dilemma, finally, a laparoscopic biopsy was done, which confirmed the diagnosis of peritoneal TB with portal vein thrombosis. This case highlights the importance of keeping a high index of suspicion to include tuberculosis as a differential when presented with a case such as this and to conduct appropriate investigations to establish the correct diagnosis.