RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Bowel obstruction caused by intestinal tuberculosis: an update
JF BMJ Case Reports
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP bcr0620114361
DO 10.1136/bcr.06.2011.4361
VO 2011
A1 Patel, Nimesh
A1 Ondhia, Chandni
A1 Ahmed, Shabbir
YR 2011
UL http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2011/bcr.06.2011.4361.abstract
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.