An unusual case of obstructive jaundice

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases
• Oncology

Background:

• Pancreatic tuberculosis is an exceptionally rare condition, with limited documented cases in medical literature.
• Clinical presentation can be nonspecific, often mimicking other pancreatic pathologies such as malignancy.

Observation:

• A young female patient presented with symptoms including high fever, jaundice, and right hypochondrial pain.
• Imaging studies revealed a pancreatic head mass, raising suspicion for malignancy.

Findings:

• Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of the pancreatic mass unexpectedly diagnosed tuberculosis.
• Histopathological examination confirmed the presence of tuberculous granulomas.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic masses, even in the absence of typical systemic signs.
• Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management and improved patient outcomes in rare pancreatic infections.