Pelvic tuberculosis

Pelvic tuberculosis (TBC) was diagnosed in 20 patients studied during the years 1971 to 1975. Fourteen patients were born outside the United States. The most frequent presenting complaints were infertility (14 patients), pelvic pain (6), and amenorrhea (4). Only 5 patients gave a history of previous treatment for TBC. Results of pelvic examination were normal in 11 patients; results of chest X-rays were normal in 15. Sixteen patients had endometrial biopsies, 10 of which showed granulomatous endometritis. Fifteen patients had hysterosalpingograms, all of which yielded abnormal results, and 14 were indicative of TBC. Cultures were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 6 of 16 patients. Genital TBC should be considered as a possible cause of infertility, especially in foreign-born patients. Although a conclusive diagnosis can be made only from a positive culture or histologic specimen, hysterosalpingography is a very useful aid in establishing the diagnosis.