Tubercular gastric fistula: apropos of two cases

Malignant hepatogastric fistula with associated secondary liver abscess: a rare complication of an occult gastric adenocarcinoma

A 73-year-old woman presented with fever and right flank pain. The admission was complicated by sepsis, myocardial ischaemia and an upper gastrointestinal bleed. A gastroscopy eventually demonstrated a large antral adenocarcinoma. Further imaging showed no evidence of metastasis, but demonstrated a large segment 3 hepatic abscess. At laparotomy, a hepatogastric fistula (HGF) was noted and a synchronous subtotal gastrectomy and left lateral liver sectionectomy was performed. Final histology showed complete resection of the gastric cancer (T4bN2) and confirmed the presence of the fistula. The patient was discharged 10 days later. She passed away 6 months later with local recurrence, hepatic and pulmonary metastasis. We include a review summarising the other causes of HGF in the literature.

Gastroduodenal tuberculosis: a case series and a management focused systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Gastroduodenal tuberculosis is an uncommon form of abdominal tuberculosis.

AREAS COVERED

We report our experience with five cases of gastroduodenal tuberculosis and present results of a systematic review on gastroduodenal tuberculosis regarding clinical presentation, endoscopic, imaging findings, and the diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

EXPERT OPINION

The presentation of gastroduodenal tuberculosis is diverse and may include nonspecific abdominal pain or dyspepsia like symptoms apart from gastric outlet obstruction. Endoscopy may show presence of growth, ulcer, narrowing, or fistula on endoscopy. Endoscopic biopsy, well-biopsy, or mucosal resection of an elevated lesion are helpful. On microscopy, granuloma with or without acid fast bacilli positivity can be found. For treatment, standard antitubercular therapy should be given for 6 months. In patients with tight stricture, endoscopic balloon dilatation can be helpful. Surgery is reserved for patient with diagnostic dilemma, refractory stricture, or complications like perforation or fistula. Future research should focus on improving diagnosis with use of modern microbiological techniques like PCR and Xpert MTB/RIF.