Peripancreatic tuberculosis mimicking pancreatic neoplasia

Tuberculosis of the pancreas and peripancreatic lymph nodes is an extremely rare disorder that has been reported with increased frequency in the past several years. Despite the fact that abdominal tuberculosis can generally be managed by pharmacotherapy alone, invasive procedures are often used before the establishment of the correct diagnosis, sometimes leading to unnecessary interventions and delayed treatment. To set the stage for our review, we first describe a case of a 31-year-old woman from India who initially presented with nonspecific symptoms and a pancreatic cystic lesion but was later diagnosed with peripancreatic tuberculosis. We then present a review of the current literature on peripancreatic and pancreatic tuberculosis, with a focus on diagnosis and management of the disease, but we also touch on issues such as epidemiology, infection control, and tissue acquisition. Finally, we offer clues that can be used to help identify patients who present with otherwise vague symptoms who may harbor pancreatic or peripancreatic tuberculosis. It is our hope that this case report and review of the literature will raise awareness and improve the management of this uncommon but serious disorder.