[Gastrointestinal tuberculosis--a diagnostic challenge]

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis has become a rare disease. Lesions are predominantly located in the ileocecal region, but all parts of intestinum can be involved. Occurrence in the esophagus is very rare. Protean manifestations often prevent an accurate diagnosis on time, especially if pulmonary symptoms are absent or misjudged. The further clinical course is determined by late complications of tuberculosis. We present 3 cases of gastrointestinal tuberculosis (two of esophagus, one of ileocecal region) in order to remind of this rare disease, which is associated with so many pitfalls.