PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Nimesh Patel
AU  - Chandni Ondhia
AU  - Shabbir Ahmed
TI  - Bowel obstruction caused by intestinal tuberculosis: an update
AID  - 10.1136/bcr.06.2011.4361
DP  - 2011 Nov 02
TA  - BMJ Case Reports
PG  - bcr0620114361
VI  - 2011
4099  - http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2011/bcr.06.2011.4361.short
4100  - http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2011/bcr.06.2011.4361.full
AB  - Tuberculosis is one of the most important communicable diseases worldwide, with an increasing incidence within the UK. The abdomen is involved in 11% of patients with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, and can provide a diagnostic challenge if not suspected. The authors report the case of a 31-year-old Sudanese female who presented with intestinal obstruction due to a mass caused by abdominal tuberculosis. Imaging revealed evidence of multifocal tuberculosis involving the ileo-caecal region with abdominal and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. She went on to have a limited right hemicolectomy and completed antitubercular therapy. It is important to consider abdominal tuberculosis when conditions such as Crohn’s disease or gastrointestinal malignancy are being entertained in those from a high-risk background. Since diagnosis can be difficult, if clinical suspicion is strong, surgery is a safe option. Recommended management combines up to 12 months of antitubercular therapy with conservative surgery.