Presenting experience of managing abdominal tuberculosis at a tertiary care hospital in India

Abdominal tuberculosis remains the great mimic despite years of experience and awareness. Reliable epidemiological data on abdominal tuberculosis are lacking in India.

To define the most suggestive clinical features of abdominal tuberculosis, to evaluate the usefulness of the normally available investigations, and the response of anti-tuberculous drugs.

Retrospective study.

Out of 110 patients attending our hospital between July 2000 and June 2002, with clinical suspicion of abdominal tuberculosis, 46 patients had confirmed abdominal tuberculosis. Their clinico-radiological and cyto / histopathological profiles, side effects of anti-tuberculous drugs, and the outcome of the treatment were analyzed.

Weight loss, abdominal pain, and bowel disturbances were the most common symptoms. Anemia and under- nutrition, abdominal tenderness, ascites, and hepato / splenomegaly were the most common findings. Chest radiography showed active or healed tuberculous focus in 16. Ultrasonography revealed abdominal lymphadenopathy, ascites, and mass lesions in 26, 12, and four patients, respectively. Barium examination showed abnormality in eight patients out of 18, among whom it was performed. An ascitic fluid study done in 12 patients showed high adenosine deaminase in all, and positive acid fast bacilli in one. Laparoscopic peritoneal biopsy was done in18 patients, and 13 showed tuberculous granuloma. Treatment success was achieved in 38 patients with anti-tuberculous drugs. Most patients tolerated the anti-tuberculous drugs well.

With good clinical examination and appropriate investigations definitive diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis can be reached in a significant number of patients. Strongly suggestive clinical and laboratory data are also indications for anti-tuberculous therapy in an endemic country like India. Anti-tuberculous drugs are well tolerated and highly effective.