Isolated-tuberculosis-of-the-pancreas

Isolated-tuberculosis-of-the-pancreas

Pancreatic tuberculosis is a rare disease. Its presenting features are usually vague and non-specific, while the radiological features mimic pancreatic malignancy in many cases and pancreatitis in others. Ultrasound- or CT-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or biopsy may show caseating granulomatous inflammation but microbiological confirmation may not always be possible. Laparotomy may be required if other investigations prove inconclusive. The response to treatment is good. Tuberculosis is a common disease in developing countries, although its exact prevalence cannot be assessed. Even in developed countries like the USA, it is still an important problem . Abdominal tuberculosis frequently poses problems in diagnosis because the clinical features are vague and it mimics a number of other diseases. The pancreas is rarely affected. In a classical study of 300 cases of abdominal tuberculosis carried out by Bhansali , not a single case of pancreatic tuberculosis was reported. Especially in the wake of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and the widespread use of immunosuppressant drugs, the diagnosis of tuberculosis must be kept in mind when dealing with pancreatic masses that do not fit into a particular pattern or do not have a clear histopathology. Tuberculosis being a curable disease, every effort should be made to arrive at an early diagnosis so as to avoid unnecessary interventions, including laparotomy.


Last Updated on: Nov 26, 2024

Global Scientific Words in Immunology & Microbiology