Gastrointestinal manifestation of extrapulmonal tuberculosis – Case Report

Introduction: Gastrointestinal manifestation of extrapulmonal tuberculosis is relatively rare, 12% in consecutive cases, and ileocecal region is infected in 75%. Various symptomatology (abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating up, vomiting, abdominal fluid) describes the entity.

Case report: 57 y.o. male had no specific medical history. At admission he complained on diarrhea, epigastric pain, and weight loss. Colonoscopy and abdominal CT scan showed pathological regional lymph nodes and tumor shaped stenosis in ascendent colon, cecal region, and terminal ileum. Suspect of vertebral and femoral metastatic focuses also were revealed. Chest X-ray described tuberculous signs in pulmonal region. Surgeon consultation advised the resection of the stricture in life threatening condition only. The patient was transmitted to pulmonological center based on the opinion of pulmonologist consultation. Because of active infection specific antituberculous therapy was started. After two month of medical treatment the patient was admitted to emergency surgical unit and operated on, ileocecal resection were performed.

Conclusion: In cases of active pulmonal tuberculosis with abdominal complains gastrointestinal manifestation could be revealed. Antitubercuolotic therapy is mandatory, although in complicated cases surgery is necessary.