Tuberculosis of the cervix: An uncommon cause of vaginal discharge in a post-menopausal woman.

ABSTRACT

Discharge per vaginum is a common symptom of a variety of gynaecological diseases. Among post-menopausal women, atrophic vaginitis, cervicitis and cervical carcinoma are common causes of this symptom. We present a 64-year-old woman who had foul-smelling discharge per vaginum for the past 1 year. Per speculum examination revealed an unhealthy-looking cervix and white discharge. On bi-manual examination, the cervix was flush with the vagina. There was no obvious growth felt, the exact uterine size could not be ascertained and the finger was stained with thick discharge. A biopsy of the cervix showed epithelioid cell granulomas and a diagnosis of tuberculosis was made. The patient responded to antitubercular therapy. Tuberculosis of the cervix may be a rare cause of foul- smelling discharge per vaginum in post-menopausal women but there should be a high index of suspicion of this condition, especially in areas where tuberculosis is common. We report this post-menopausal woman owing to the rarity of tuberculosis of the cervix mimicking a gynaecological malignancy.