Abdominal tuberculosis mimicking intra-abdominal malignancy: A case report

Abstract

Background: Abdominal TB usually presents with nonspecific findings and may thus mimic a multitude of gastrointestinal disorders. Abdominal tuberculosis may therefore present as large and palpable intra-abdominal masses usually arising from lymphadenopathy which may mimic lymphomas and other malignancies. We present the report of a patient with suspected abdominal malignancy diagnosed with abdominal tuberculosis.

Methods: The case records of a patient who presented at the university of Port Harcourt Teaching hospital, medical unit with an abdominal mass diagnosed with abdominal Tb and a review of the literature utilizing google, PubMed, medline and existing literature was utilized.

Results: Abdominal Tb is a major contributor to the burden of EPTb with reports of increasing incidence. Based on the wide spectrum of symptoms and signs originating from various parts of the abdomen the disease may be misdiagnosed.

Conclusion: In conclusion abdominal Tb still remains a disease which should be kept in mind and considered by clinicians in Nigeria as it is a great mimic and may be hard-todiagnose. A high index of suspicion and the use of ancillary, radiologic and surgical techniques should be employed in order to make a correct and prompt diagnosis.

Keywords: Abdominal Tuberculosis; Intraabdominal Mass; Nigeria