Diagnosis of Intestinal Tuberculosis at Viet Duc Hospital (2004-2009)

Authors

  • Duc Chinh Nguyen Department of Septic Surgery, Viet Duc Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Duc Van Do Department of Septic Surgery, Viet Duc Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Son Ha Do Department of Septic Surgery, Viet Duc Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Van Xuyen Nguyen Department of Septic Surgery, Viet Duc Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Quang Nguyen Department of Septic Surgery, Viet Duc Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Viet Khai Ninh Department of Septic Surgery, Viet Duc Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Hai Bang Pham Department of Septic Surgery, Viet Duc Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Michel Huguier Hospital Tenon, Paris France

Keywords:

acute abdomen, colonoscopy, intestinal tuberculosis, PCR assay

Abstract

Purpose: Gastrointestinal tuberculosis, especially complicated intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) is still an
ongoing challenge for physicians and radiologists. This study aimed to assess the clinical features and related
factors which might help the diagnosis and direct proper management.
Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of all ITB diagnosed in patients over 16 years
of age who were treated at Viet Duc Hospital from 2004 to 2009. ITB was confirmed by histopathological
examination or PCR assay of the biopsies or surgical specimens.
Results: There were 85 cases of ITB patients including 61 men and 24 women. Common symptoms were
abdominal pain (90%), diarrhea (82%), weight loss (61%) and fever (55%). A medical history of TB was found
in 41% of cases. The complications most commonly observed were bowel obstruction (38.8%) and peritonitis
(25.5%). Ultrasound and CT scan findings were ascites, ileo-cecal bowel wall thickening, proximal dilatation
of bowel loops and cecal mass. Colonoscopy with biopsy confirmed the diagnosis in 66.7% whereas PCR assay
was positive in 53.9%. A pre-operative diagnosis was established in 39% of patients, while the diagnosis was
established intra-operatively in 83.5%. There were surgical indications to make a diagnosis in 13.9%.
Conclusion: ITB has diverse and non-specific symptoms and is an ongoing diagnostic dilemma for both
physicians and radiologists. X-ray and endoscopy with biopsy are the most helpful means for establishing a
definitive diagnosis.

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Published

2010-09-30

How to Cite

1.
Nguyen DC, Do DV, Do SH, Nguyen VX, Nguyen Q, Ninh VK, Pham HB, Huguier M. Diagnosis of Intestinal Tuberculosis at Viet Duc Hospital (2004-2009). Thai J Surg [Internet]. 2010 Sep. 30 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];31(3). Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ThaiJSurg/article/view/227588

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Original Articles