Radiological manifestations of intestinal tuberculosis

Im, J H; Han, M C

Abstract

Radiological findings of 87 cases of intestinal tuberculosis are anlalyzed and presented. The diagnosis wasbased on histopathology in 29 cases, and on clinical ground and radiological findings in 58 cases. The ratio ofmale and female patients was 4:6, and peak incidence is between 10 and 30. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss,fever and general weakness are frequent symptoms, and tenderness of abdomen, ascites with abdominal distension,malnutrition and emaciation are frequent signs of the patients. Laboratory investigation reveal anemia, raisedESR, hypoalbuminemia and positive occult blood reaction in the stool in most of the patients. Chest films showactive pulmonary tuberculosis in only 1/3 patients. There is no pathognomonic radiological finding in intestinaltuberculosis and their manifestations are protean, and differentiation from other inflammatory disease andmalignant tumors in gastrointestinal tract is very difficult on radiological ground alone. However, in Patientswith complaining vague abdominal symptoms and signs, the radiological diagnosis is most certain means in thedecision of existence of organic lesion and suggestion of tuberculosis in the gastrointestinal tract and itsextent as yet. Multiplicity of the lesion, involvement of adjacent organ such as peritoneum or mesenteric lymphnodes, typical nodularity or irregularity of mesenteric border and existence of active pulmonary tuberculosis arethe suggestive findings of intestinal tuberculosis. In the diagnosis of inflammatory disease or malignant tumor ofgastrointestinal tract, the possibility of tuberculosis shoule be borne in mind, and vice versa.