Abdominal tuberculosis mimicking Crohn’s disease’s exacerbation: a clinical, diagnostic and surgical dilemma. A case report
Issue date
2015Author
Papis, Davide
Branchi, Vittorio
Gómez Quiles, Luis
Herrerias, Fernando
Gonzalez, Marta
Suggested citation
Papis, Davide;
Branchi, Vittorio;
Gómez Quiles, Luis;
Herrerias, Fernando;
Vilardell, Felip;
Gonzalez, Marta;
Olsina Kissler, Jorge Juan;
.
(2015)
.
Abdominal tuberculosis mimicking Crohn’s disease’s exacerbation: a clinical, diagnostic and surgical dilemma. A case report.
International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, 2015, vol. 6, núm. 2015, p. 122-125.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2014.11.075.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis in Europe is a health public problem, which has increased constantly over
the last few decades. The most common clinical manifestation of tuberculosis is pulmonary. The diagnosis
of extrapulmonary tuberculosis can be challenging and clinical manifestations of gastrointestinal
tuberculosis are unspecific and can mimic other pathologies.
PRESENTATION OF CASE: A young Chinese man, who had recently been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease,
was admitted to the emergency room of our hospital with a one-month history of diffuse abdominal
pain and weight loss. The patient initially presented with epigastric pain, which had been constantly
increasing over the last 48 h. Other symptoms included diarrhea, nausea, and fever. The patient was
then admitted with the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease exacerbation, and a treatment with corticosteroids,
azathioprine, mesalazine, adalimumab, and antibiotic therapy was started. The symptoms were due to
an initially misdiagnosed case of abdominal tuberculosis.
DISCUSSION: Intestinal tuberculosis is mainly localized at the ileocecal level in 85% of patients. Medical
therapy is the treatment of choice and surgery is not required if it is diagnosed at an early stage.’
CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis still remains a challenge for both internists and surgeons.
Before starting a therapy with adalimumab, every patient should be tested for latent tuberculosis
infection.
Is part of
International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, 2015, vol. 6, núm. 2015, p. 122-125European research projects
Collections
The following license files are associated with this item: