A Clinicopathological Study and Management of Abdominal Tuberculosis

Abdominal tuberculosis is a tricky clinical problem that a physician will come across. A lack of specific signs and symptoms poses a diagnostic challenge and mimics many other conditions leading to diagnostic delay and development of complications. Therefore, a high index of suspicion is required for anearly diagnosis. Tuberculous bacteria can involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract, spreadby hematogenous route from infected focus in the lung or cervical lymph nodes,by contagious spread from infected lymph nodes or fallopian tubes, and ingestion of infected sputum.The gross pathology is characterized by transverse ulcers, fibrosis, thickening and strictures of the bowel wall, enlarged and matted mesenteric lymph nodes, omental thickening, and peritoneal tubercles. Sometimes, presents to emergency with proximal perforation or intestinal obstruction. Early diagnosis and initiation of anti-tuberculous therapy and surgical treatment are essential to prevent morbidity and mortality. Most of the patients respond very well to standard antitubercular therapy and surgery required only in a minority of cases if detected early.A retrospective study was done on 38 patients with proven abdominal tuberculosis.