Ileo-caecal tuberculosis in immigrants.

Four cases of ileo-caecal tuberculosis in Asian immigrants were seen in a 6-month period at The London Hospital. Although rare in Caucasians, this condition is an important cause of gastrointestinal symptoms in this ethnic group. Definitive diagnosis can frequently be made only by histological examination and culture of biopsy material obtained at laparotomy. However, in suitable cases, where there is a high index of clinical suspicion, a trial of chemotherapy may be preferable to operation. If laparotomy is performed, resection with subsequent chemotherapy is the treatment of choice.