Romand F, Gaudin J L, Bobichon R, Souquet J C
Service d'Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Lyon.
Presse Med. 1997 Nov 22;26(36):1717-21.
Abdominal tuberculosis is rarely encountered in developed countries, representing less than 1% of all forms of tuberculosis. There has however been a revival over the last few years.
The initial diagnoses suspected in two young multiparous patients who had immigrated to France were malignant lymphoma and ovarian carcinoma. After the final diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis was made, the clinical course rapidly improved.
Any abdominal organ may be involved in this localization of tuberculosis, but symptoms are not specific and diagnosis can often be missed. Tumor-forming abdominal mass is an exceptional finding and often mimics malignancy. Clinicians should be aware of this localization, particularly in light of epidemiological features, and examine all modern diagnostic procedures.
