Tuberculosis diagnosed in a surgical department during 1974-93: a report of 32 cases

During the period 1974-93, 32 patients (18 males, 14 females) with previously undiagnosed tuberculosis were admitted to the department of surgery and the surgical outpatient department of Buskerud Central Hospital. Of these, 26 were native Norwegians and 6 immigrants of Asian origin with an average age of 65 and 26 years, respectively. Of the native Norwegians, 14 patients had a past history of tuberculosis and 7 cases were associated with concomitant cancer. With 1 exception, all immigrants had extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Cultural identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis occurred in 28 cases and Mycobacterium bovis in 1 (immigrant). A total of 30 patients were cured, whereas 2 of 3 patients with miliary dissemination died.