Evaluation of intestinal tuberculosis by multi-slice computed tomography enterography

BACKGROUND

Multi-slice computed tomography enterography (MSCTE) is now widely used to diagnose and monitor intestinal disease. Preliminary studies suggest that MSCTE may be useful in detecting intestinal tuberculosis (ITB). We sought to assess the use of MSCTE for the diagnosis of ITB in our medical center.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 15 patients (11 males and 4 females, 6 to 65 years old) were enrolled and diagnosed with ITB by MSCTE. Diagnosis were confirmed by pathology or clinical criteria. Two experienced abdominal radiologists evaluated the images and defined the location, number, shape, edge, surrounding tissue alterations of ITB and other associated changes in the peritoneum, mesentery and solid abdominal organs.

RESULTS

The interval between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis varied from 20 days to 10 years. The most common symptom was abdominal pain (80 %). The ileocecum was the most common site affected by ITB (87 %). Morphological MSCTE findings were variable and included multi-segmental symmetric intestinal mural thickening found in 6 patients (40 %), solid masses found in 9 patients (60 %), and enlarged lymph nodes (LNs) found in 13 (87 %) patients. Non-enhancing central necrosis and rim enhancement were noted in 10 patients (67 %).

CONCLUSIONS

Characteristic MSCTE findings of ITB include solid mass or multi-segmental symmetric mural thickening involving the ileocecal area and rim enhanced LNs. Knowledge of these features in combination with a high index of suspicion can be useful in early diagnosis of ITB.

Abdominal tuberculosis: a radiological review with emphasis on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings

Tuberculosis is a disease whose incidence has increased principally as a consequence of HIV infection and use of immunosuppressive drugs. The abdomen is the most common site of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. It may be confused with several different conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, cancer and other infectious diseases. Delay in the diagnosis may result in significantly increased morbidity, and therefore an early recognition of the condition is essential for proper treatment. In the present essay, cases with confirmed diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis were assessed by means of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, demonstrating the involvement of different organs and systems, and presentations which frequently lead radiologists to a diagnostic dilemma. A brief literature review was focused on imaging findings and their respective prevalence.

Intestinal tuberculosis complicated with perforation during anti-tuberculous treatment in a 13-year-old girl with defective mitogen-induced IL-12 production

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a cytokine which is secreted by activated phagocytes and dendritic cells and promotes cell-mediated immunity to intracellular pathogens, by inducing type 1 helper T cell (TH1) responses and interferon- γ (IFN- γ) production. Defects in the IL-12 may cause selective susceptibility to intracellular pathogens, such as mycobacteria. We herein report on a 13-year-old girl with defective mitogen-induced IL-12 production, who developed intestinal tuberculosis with wide dissemination involving the lung and urinary tract. She improved gradually, but developed terminal ileal perforation approximately 6.1 months following initiation of anti-tuberculous treatment. The paradoxical response phenomenon was suspected. The girl subsequently underwent surgical resection of the affected bowel segment with a temporary double barrel stoma, and ileocolonic anastomosis was performed after the completion of the anti-tuberculous therapy. The patient remained well, with no evidence of recurrent tuberculosis in the past 5 years. This case illustrates the possibility of underlying primary immunodeficiency in a patient with disseminated tuberculosis; delayed tuberculous intestinal perforation can develop during chemotherapy for tuberculosis.

Uncommon acquired fistulae involving the digestive system: summary of data

PURPOSE

Most gastrointestinal fistulae commonly occur following surgery. A minority is caused by a myriad of other etiologies and is termed by some as "uncommon fistulae". The aim of this study was to review these fistulae and their treatment.

METHODS

A literature review was carried out. Searches were conducted in Pubmed and related references reviewed.

RESULTS

Except for Crohn's disease and diverticulitis, "uncommon fistulae" are described in case reports or very small case series. Most of the patients were treated by surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The anatomic features of the fistula and the etiology usually dictate the approach. Most patients will eventually need surgery to resolve this pathology.

Lower gastrointestinal tract tuberculosis: an important but neglected disease

PURPOSE

Difficulties in early and accurate diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis lead to frequent misdiagnosis even in endemic areas. This study aimed to investigate clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with lower gastrointestinal tract tuberculosis (LGITB).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who met the criteria for LGITB in a medical center from 1997 to 2006 were identified and their medical records reviewed.

RESULTS

A number of 4,567 patients with culture or histology-proven tuberculosis were identified, and 30 (0.66%) were diagnosed with LGITB. Principal co-morbidities were type II diabetes mellitus (23%) and alcoholism (23%). Twenty-two (73%) had radiographic findings suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis, which was culture-proven in 13. Mycobacterial cultures from stool or sputum had diagnostic yields of about 50%, comparable to that of histological studies of colonoscopic or surgical biopsies. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) was identified in four patients, including two alcoholics. Fourteen underwent surgery; two (14%) received right hemicolectomy under the diagnosis of colon cancer without pre- or intraoperative histological study. The 1-year mortality was 20% but was 50% in patients with MDRTB.

CONCLUSIONS

A high rate of alcoholism and diabetes mellitus and a high percentage of MDRTB among alcoholics were observed in our patients with LGITB. The diagnostic yields of stool or sputum mycobacterial culture (50%) were similar to that of intestinal histological study. Pre- or intraoperative histological examination could prevent unnecessarily extensive surgery.

Severe pulmonary tuberculosis complicating Ileocecal intussusception due to intestinal tuberculosis: a case report

Adult intussusception is a rare clinical entity that is most often caused by a tumor, such as a lipoma, adenoma, or malignant tumor. A case of adult intussusception due to intestinal tuberculosis of the ileocecal region is reported. There are few cases of intussusception due to intestinal tuberculosis.

Intra-abdominal and gastrointestinal tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE

Reports suggest that the rates of tuberculosis (TB) continue to rise in the UK and throughout the world. The spread of the disease is aided by poverty, overcrowding, co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus and drug resistance. Consistent with the overall trend, intra-abdominal and gastrointestinal (GI) TB rates are rising. Tuberculosis is a treatable disease, whether occurring in the lungs or at extra-pulmonary sites but the nonspecific features of the disease result in difficulty in establishing a diagnosis. In this report, we have concentrated on the benefits and potential pitfalls of diagnostic methods.

METHOD

A literature review was performed using the National Library of Medicine's Pubmed Database using the keywords diagnosis, management, abdominal and GI TB.

RESULTS

Abdominal TB presents a particular challenge, as the diverse features of the disease do not readily suggest a particular diagnosis and diagnostic delays lead to significant morbidity and mortality. A number of investigative methods have been used to aid in the diagnosis of abdominal and GI TB.

CONCLUSION

The nonspecific presentation of abdominal and GI TB present challenges in the diagnosis of this increasingly common disease. A high index of suspicion is an important factor in early diagnosis. After a diagnosis has been established, prompt initiation of treatment helps prevent morbidity and mortality.

Fistulisation vésicale d'une tuberculose sigmoïdienne

A sigmoid tuberculosis is very rare. We report a case of sigmoid pseudotumoral tuberculosis with a fistulization into the urinary bladder in a 10-year-old girl. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was made by histopathological examination of the surgical specimen after segmental colectomy. Surgery completed by antitubercular chemotherapy gave a good result.

Left colon stenosis caused by tuberculosis

The authors present a case of intestinal tuberculosis affecting exclusively the left colon causing severe undernourishment, abdominal pain, and bowel obstruction with a sealed colonic fistula in a 10-year-old child. These clinical characteristics and difficulties led to a diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis in childhood. Intestinal tuberculosis affecting exclusively the colon is very rare, and differential diagnosis with Crohn's disease is difficult. Surgical complications are frequent, especially intestinal obstruction, and can be treated in most cases by resection of the affected segment and primary anastomosis.