Genital tuberculosis in a menopausal woman. A case report

We have analysed the role played by genital tuberculosis (TBC) in Italy today, and in particular in L'Aquila, in the light of a worrying recrudescence. We report the case of a 64-year-old patient, in menopause for the past 11 years or so, referred to the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic of the University of L'Aquila, with an anamnesis of menometrorrhagia since the age of 55. The patient was studied from a gynecological and internist profile including the following procedures: gynecological examination and pap-test, colposcopy, transvaginal scan, chest X-ray, abdominal and pelvic CAT, laboratory tests and Mantoux reaction. The uterus was found to be fibromatous during the gynecological examination and scan, whereas colposcopy revealed a small ectropion and the presence of very adherent yellowish mucus. The Mantoux test was positive. CAT showed cicatricial sequelae in the pulmonary parenchyma. It was decided to perform curettage, but this was prevented by the presence of pyometra. The patient was treated with specific chemotherapy and then underwent total laparohysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy. The histological findings confirmed genital TBC. Genital TBC is now undergoing a worrying recrudescence. We need to have a full knowledge of the pathology, the diagnostic means with which to discover it and the correct therapeutic instruments to overcome it.