Esophageal tuberculosis: A rare case report

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) incidence is increasing in industrialized countries after a 20th-century decline.
• Gastrointestinal (GI) TB is uncommon, with the GI tract being the sixth most frequent site of extrapulmonary TB.
• Esophageal TB (ET) is an exceptionally rare manifestation of TB.

Observation:

• A case report of a patient presenting with dysphagia due to a rare form of ET.
• Upper GI endoscopy revealed an ulcerative growth in the distal esophagus.
• Histopathology confirmed ET.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with esophageal TB.
• Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of ET.
• The condition was managed conservatively.

Implications:

• Esophageal TB, though rare, can be effectively treated with anti-TB treatment (ATT).
• Prompt diagnosis and ATT can prevent severe complications such as fistula, stricture, and esophageal perforation.
• Conservative management with ATT may avoid the need for surgical intervention in cases of ET.