Cecal Tuberculosis Mimicking Submucosal Tumor

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pathology

Background:

• Intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) is a significant cause of abdominal complaints, often mimicking other gastrointestinal pathologies.
• Early and accurate diagnosis of ITB is crucial for effective management and preventing complications.

Observation:

• A 41-year-old male presented with abdominal fullness, diagnosed via CT scan with ileus and ileocecal lymphadenopathy.
• Colonoscopy revealed a protruding cecal tumor with ulcerative lesions, pathologically confirmed as chronic inflammation and epithelioid granuloma.
• Positive results from tuberculin skin test and QuantiFERON-TB-Gold assay indicated tuberculosis.

Findings:

• The patient was treated for tuberculosis of the cecum.
• Follow-up colonoscopy after 4 months of anti-tuberculosis therapy showed complete resolution of the cecal lesion.
• Pathological analysis confirmed epithelioid granuloma and chronic inflammatory infiltration consistent with ITB.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering intestinal tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of protruding cecal lesions.
• Timely diagnosis and treatment of ITB can lead to favorable outcomes and resolution of obstructive symptoms.
• Increased awareness of ITB's varied presentations is essential for gastroenterologists and infectious disease specialists.