Hepatic tuberculosis; a rare case of bleeding gastric varices

Macronodular hepatic tuberculosis associated with portal vein thrombosis and portal hypertension

Tuberculosis (TB) of the liver is usually associated with miliary spread. Macronodular TB of the liver is rare. A case of macronodular TB of the liver in a 31-year-old woman causing portal vein thrombosis and portal hypertension is presented. Ultrasound and CT appearances are described. There was coexistent ileo-caecal TB with extensive mesenteric and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. Macronodular TB should be considered in the differential diagnosis when a patient presents with multiple calcified masses in the liver with portal vein thrombosis and portal hypertension.

Isolated splenic tuberculosis

Tuberculosis isolated to the spleen is a rare clinical entity particularly in the non-HIV-positive patient population. In the four patients described, two presented with thrombocytopenia; in two patients the condition was diagnosed serendipitously at laparotomy undertaken for abdominal trauma.

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis is defined as infection of the peritoneum, hollow or solid abdominal organs, and abdominal lymphatics with Mycobacterium tuberculosis organisms. Gastrointestinal tuberculosis is relatively rare in the United States and is the sixth most common extrapulmonary location. Populations at risk include immigrants to the United States, the homeless, prisoners, residents of long-term care facilities, and the immunocompromised. The peritoneum and the ileocecal region are the most likely sites of infection and are involved in the majority of cases by hematogenous spread or through swallowing of infected sputum from primary pulmonary tuberculosis. Pulmonary tuberculosis is apparent in less than half of patients. Patients usually present with abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, anorexia, change in bowel habits, nausea, and vomiting. The diagnosis is often delayed and is usually made through a combination of radiologic, endoscopic, microbiologic, histologic, and molecular techniques. Antimicrobial treatment is the same as for pulmonary tuberculosis. Surgery is occasionally required.

Tuberculosis presenting as a solitary splenic tumour

A 48-year-old male had suffered from body weight loss and general malaise for 2 months. Abdominal computed tomography showed a dilated intrahepatic duct with stones and a hypodense nodular mass in the spleen. A splenectomy and distal pancreatectomy were performed under the preoperative impression of a malignancy. Histological examination of the specimens revealed tuberculosis.