Radiographic manifestations of gastrointestinal tuberculosis

Barium studies of a gastrointestinal tract and chest radiographs of 109 patients with gastrointestinal tuberculosis were investigated. The type and site of the tuberculous lesions in the bowel, as well as its association with pulmonary tuberculosis and surgical complications, were reviewed. The ileocecal region is the portion of the gastrointestinal tract most frequently involved. The ulcerohypertrophic type of tuberculous lesion was the most common. Thirty-two percent of the patients had a normal chest radiograph. Nineteen patients had a significant surgical complication. Fistulous tracts and intestinal perforation are rare. The radiographic differential diagnosis with regional enteritis and other forms of inflammatory bowel disease is discussed.