Adult Abdominal Tuberculosis in Benin City Nigeria

Abstract

Eight adult patients were diagnosed as having abdominal tuberculosis in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, over a six year period (January 1997 to December 2002). There were 7 females and 1 male aged between 20 and 55years (mean 30years); mean duration of symptoms before presentation was 14weeks. The main presenting symptoms were: abdominal pain (6), fever (4), weight loss (7), and ascites (6). Diagnosis was basically clinical in 2 patients, while surgery played a role in the management of others: cervical lymph node biopsy (2); peritoneal biopsy obtained through open appendicectomy (2) and exploratory laparotomy for intestinal obstruction (2). Only 1 and 2 patients tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Mantoux respectively. Abdominal tuberculosis is a great mimic and the foremost diagnostic tool is the most ideal investigation and patients usually respond to a closely supervised anti-tuberculous therapy. There is a place for therapeutic trial in the patients.

Key Words: Tuberculosis, Abdominal, Benin – City, Nigeria.

Sahel Medical Journal Vol.7(4) 2004: 126-128