Korean J Med.  2003 Jan;64(1):96-100.

Three cases of isolated rectal tuberculosis

• Lee DS
• Chung KW
• Hwang DY
• Lee HH
• Kim DH
• Kim YS
• Kwak DH

Abstract

Isolated rectal tuberculosis commonly involves sigmoid, ascending, or transverse colon. Rectal involvement in tuberculosis is uncommon and poorly characterized. Isolated rectal tuberculosis was defined as focal lesions of rectum in the abscence of demonstrable lesions in the small and large bowel. Diagnosis of rectal tuberculosis was based on characteristic endoscopic appearance of lesions, histopathologic feature of tuberculosis in biopsy material and response to antitubercular therapy. Three patients with isolated rectal tuberculosis were seen at Kwak's hospital. The lesions observed was classified according to macroscopic morphology as follows: ulcerative, hypertrophic and ulcero-hypertrophic. Clinical manifestations were non-specific and consists of rectal bleeding, fever, weight loss, constipation and abdominal pain. One of the three patients had coexisting tuberculous pleurisy. Response to antitubercular chemotherapy was good.

Keyword

Tuberculosis; Gastrointestinal

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Biopsy
Colon, Sigmoid
Colon, Transverse
Constipation
Diagnosis
Drug Therapy
Fever
Hemorrhage
Humans
Rectum
Tuberculosis*
Tuberculosis, Pleural
Ulcer
Weight Loss