Abdominal tuberculosis in southeastern Taiwan: 20 years of experience.
J Formos Med Assoc
; 108(3): 195-201, 2009 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19293034
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE:
Abdominal tuberculosis (TB) is a rare manifestation of extrapulmonary TB. This disease entity can be overlooked, and its early diagnosis is difficult because of its variable manifestations and lack of specific symptoms.METHODS:
The clinical and diagnostic features, treatment, and outcome of patients with abdominal TB at a major hospital in southeastern Taiwan from January 1987 to December 2006 were investigated.RESULTS:
Twenty-one patients with abdominal TB identified during the 20-year period were included. A predominance of male (13/21, 61.9%) and Taiwanese aborigine (15/21, 71.4%) patients was noted. Middle-aged (30-50 years) patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis had the highest risk. Common presenting features included abdominal pain (18/21, 85.7%), fever (16/21, 76.2%), ascites (13/21, 61.9%), and weight loss (12/21, 57.3%). The mean time to reach a diagnosis was 48 +/- 10 days. Tuberculous peritonitis was noted in 11 patients, with a high correlation with liver cirrhosis (p = 0.0237, Fisher's exact test). The other patients were diagnosed with TB of the gastrointestinal tract (n = 6), urinary tract (n = 2), and pelvis (n = 2). Abdominal sonography and abdominal computed tomography were helpful for diagnosis, by revealing ascites and thickening of the peritoneum. Pulmonary involvement was noted in 11 patients. Most of the patients (16/21, 76.2%) improved with anti-tuberculosis therapy, and five patients died from sepsis and respiratory failure.CONCLUSION:
Abdominal TB is a rare manifestation of extrapulmonary TB, even in southeastern Taiwan where TB is prevalent. Delay in diagnosis is common and abdominal TB should be included in the differential diagnosis of middle-aged aborigine men with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and peritonitis.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Tuberculose Gastrointestinal
/
Tuberculose dos Linfonodos
/
Peritonite Tuberculosa
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Screening_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2009
Tipo de documento:
Article