[Extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Denmark. A review of the incidence, localization and therapy]

In Denmark, just under 20% of tuberculosis (TB) cases amongst Danes and 25-30% of cases amongst people of foreign nationalities are made up of isolated extrapulmonary (EP) TB. The incidence among Danes is falling, whereas an increasing amount of EP TB cases are found among foreigners due to continued immigration, and these now constitute 50% of all cases of EP TB. EP TB is found among older Danes and younger foreigners. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has not had any effect on the incidence of TB and EP TB in Denmark. EP TB is most frequently found in lymph nodes and the urogenital system. Since the disease is rare, it may be overlooked; it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in unresolved cases, particularly in immigrants from countries with a high prevalence of TB. Treatment is as for pulmonary TB, namely "four drug" therapy for six months. Surgical intervention is rarely required. Supplementation with oral steroids may be useful in very special cases.