Tuberculosis of the appendix--a report of 17 cases and a suggested aetiopathological classification

Tuberculosis of the appendix is rare. It is usually secondary to tuberculosis elsewhere in the abdomen. Tuberculosis of the appendix is not associated with any specific clinical features and diagnosis is revealed only after histopathological examination. Appendicectomy should be performed in all patients with abdominal tuberculosis subjected to laparotomy and all surgically removed appendices should be subjected to histopathological examination.