DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2014/8654.

4574
Original Article

Abdominal Tuberculosis with an Acute

Surgery Section

Abdomen: Our Clinical Experience

Arunima Mukhopadhyay1, Ramprasad Dey2, Ujjwal Bhattacharya3

ABSTRACT Results: The clinical presentations of acute abdomen included

Introduction: Tuberculosis is an important cause of morbidity in acute intestinal obstruction, perforative peritonitis and acute
India. Abdominal Tuberculosis is a great mimicker and is difficult appendicitis etc. Terminal ileum and ileocaecal region were
to diagnose. This prospective observational study is based predominantly involved. The most common pathology was
on those patients who were diagnosed to be suffering from intestinal stricture with or without perforation. Most of the
Abdominal Tuberculosis only after they presented with an acute patients (approx 78.5%) required emergency surgery as a
abdomen. This study aims to document the nature of different therapeutic intervention. A two-stage procedure was preferred
types of acute presentation in Abdominal Tuberculosis according in peritonitis and sepsis. Most of the remaining patients (12.8%)
to involved sites and surgical pathology. The study also discusses required surgery after initial conservative treatment for the first
the indications and extent of surgical intervention. few days. Undiagnosed Abdominal Tuberculosis represents a
notable percentage (10%) of patients who present with an acute
Materials and Methods: Seventy new cases of Abdominal
abdomen as a surgical emergency.
Tuberculosis (out of 718 cases of acute abdomen) were diagnosed
and treated over a period of three years in the surgical ward of Conclusion: Abdominal Tuberculosis is very difficult to diagnose
Calcutta National Medical College. Macroscopic appearance of and diagnosis is often delayed till an acute abdomen is presented
abdominal tissues during surgery suggested the diagnosis of with. Almost all patients needed surgical intervention. Irrespective
tuberculosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology of surgery, all patients of abdominal tuberculosis require a full
and tissue culture. All patients were subsequently treated with a ATD.
full course of antitubercular drugs (ATD).

Keywords: Abdominal tuberculosis with acute abdomen,

Acute presentations of abdominal tuberculosis

INTRODUCTION the diagnostic dilemma [1,2]. It has to be remembered that though

Abdominal Tuberculosis includes tuberculosis infection of emergency surgery may overcome the temporary crisis of an acute
gastrointestinal tract, mesentery, lymph nodes and omentum, tuberculous abdomen, the permanent cure can only be achieved by
the peritoneum and related solid organs such as liver and spleen a full course of antitubercular medication [1-5].
[1,2]. The initial clinical presentations are nonspecific as the
disease involves multiple sites with different morphology. No single
Materials and Methods
This prospective observational study was conducted in the surgical
laboratory investigation is pathognomonic [1]. Radiology often fails
ward of Calcutta National Medical College over a period of three
to reveal the classical changes described in surgical textbooks.
years from January 2009 till December 2011. The 70 patients
Bacterial culture and tissue histopathology though confirmatory
included in the study were all adults. All of them presented with
are time consuming, and immunological tests though rewarding
an acute abdomen. None of the patients had a previous history of
are expensive. Moreover, Abdominal Tuberculosis with an acute
tuberculosis.
abdomen presents as an enormous challenge to the surgeon. A
surgeon has to rely on his clinical judgement and surgical acumen A careful history taking and thorough clinical examination was
to determine the extent of surgical management in an unprepared, carried out in each case. All the patients were rapidly resuscitated
physiologically compromised patient in the emergency setting. in the surgical ward with intravenous fluids, continous nasogastric
While providing surgical care, the surgeon has to collect sufficient aspiration and foley catherisation. Intravenous antibiotics & proton
pathological tissue for histopathology and microbiology to overcome pump inhibitors were started. Blood samples collected from all
patients were sent for routine haematology, blood biochemistry &
Clinical Presentation No of Cases Percentage of Cases serology to rule out HIV infection. Straight X-ray of abdomen in erect
Intestinal obstruction 33 47.1% posture was done in all the patients.
Perforative peritonitis 22 31.4% Sixty-four out of 70 patients included in the study required surgery.
Acute appendicitis 07 10% The majority (55) of the patients were put up for emergency
exploratory laparotomy after initial resuscitation. Another nine
Abdominal pain with lump 03 4.3%
patients required surgical intervention after 24-48 hours of
Abdominal pain with ascites 05 7.2%
conservative treatment. During surgery macroscopic appearance
Total 70 100% of the intestine, mesentery, regional lymph nodes suggested
[Table/Fig-1]: Types of clinical presentation the diagnosis of Abdominal Tuberculosis. Surgical intervention

Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2014 Jul, Vol-8(7): NC07-NC09 7

 Arunima Mukhopadhyay et al., Abdominal Tuberculosis with an Acute Abdomen: Our Clinical Experience. www.jcdr.net

Operative Procedure No of Operated P e rc e n t a g e

Cases of Cases
1. Resection of affected segment of bowel with 9.3%
primary anastomosis
2. Resection of affected segment of ileum & 19 29.7%
exteriorisation of ends in 1st stage- stoma
reversal with ileoileal anastomosis in 2nd
stage.
3. Limited right hemicolectomy,exteriorisation of 17 26.6%
ends in 1st stage & stoma reversal with
ileocolic anastomosis in 2nd stage.
4. Repair of perforation (jejuna, ileal) 2 3.1%
5. Exteriorisation of perforated area/ loop 3 4.7%
[Table/Fig-2]: Exploratory laparotomy done in a case of acute abdomen with
6. Stricturoplasty 4 6.25%
perforative peritonitis revealed tubercular perforation in small intestine shown with tip
of dissecting forceps [Table/Fig-3]: Multiple tubercular strictures in small intestine in 7.Appendicectomy with biopsy from mesenteric 7 11%
lymph nodes
a case of acute intestinal obstruction
8. Biopsy only and collection of caseous 6 9.4%
material for histopathology & microbiology
Pathology Found No of Operated Percentage of with adhesiolysis
Cases Cases
Total 64 100%
1. Single/ multiple strictures in small gut 15 23.4%
[Table/Fig-5]: Operative procedure performed
2. Hypertrophic variety in ileocaecal region 14 21.9%

3. Small gut perforation with single or multiple 9 14.1% primary and secondary infertility. On clinical examination the patients
strictures distally
had pallor of varying degrees (90%), abdominal tenderness (87%),
4. Small gut perforation in hypertrophic variety 8 12.5% muscle guard and rigidity (30%), abdominal lump (20%), ascites
5. Small gut perforation with tubercles 5 7.8% (10%) and hyperperistalsis (60%).
6. Acute appendicitis with abdominal rculosis 7 10.9% Straight X-ray of abdomen in erect posture revealed multiple fluid and
7. Abdominal cocoon 3 4.7% gas levels in more than 60% while pneumoperitoneum was found in
8. Mesenteric lymphadenopathy with caseous 3 4.7% about 20% of cases. After initial resuscitation, 55 (78.5%) patients
tubercles and ascites were put up for emergency surgery. Another nine patients (12.8%)
Total 64 100% required surgical intervention after 24-48 hours of conservative
[Table/Fig-4]: Operative findings on exploratory laparotomy treatment. Remaining six patients (8.57%) responded favourably
to conservative management. USG or CT scan of abdomen was
was performed depending on surgical pathology. A specimen of performed on these patients. Ultrasonography showed thickened
diseased tissue was sent for histopathology and tissue culture. In bowel loops, enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, ascites, ileocaecal
each case the diagnosis of Abdominal Tuberculosis was confirmed. mass suggestive of Abdominal Tuberculosis. CT scan showed
Once abdominal tuberculosis was diagnosed, antitubercular drugs typical findings of mesenteric, omental and peritoneal thickening
(ATD)were started. However, the remaining six patients responded with dilated matted bowel loops, enlarged lymph nodes with
favorably to conservative management and did not require surgery. peripheral rim-like enhancement and hypodense centre and adnexal
Diagnostic studies (USG/CT scan/ guided FNAC for histopathology) (tuboovarian) mass. Tissue for microbiological or histopathological
carried on these patients confirmed the presence of Abdominal examination was obtained by US/CT guided fine needle aspiration
Tuberculosis. cytology which later confirmed tuberculosis.
After appropriate management the outcome of each case was Blood investigations revealed haemoglobin values less than 8
studied. Each patient was followed up in the outpatient department gm/dl in 45% patients, between 8-10 gm/dl in 30% patients and
for a year after discharge. In each case, it was mandatory to over 10 gm/dl in 25% patients. ESR was raised in 80% of cases
complete a course of ATD. and leucocytosis was present in 100% of patients. Sputum was
collected from all the patients and sent for detection of AFB. Sputum
Results for AFB was found to be negative in all the cases. Chest X-rays also
Out of 718 patients who presented with an acute abdomen, 70 (10%) did not suggest the presence of pulmonary tuberculosis in any of
patients were found to be suffering from Abdominal Tuberculosis. the patients.
Of the 70 patients studied, there were 27 males and 43 females. On laparotomy the predominant site of involvement was terminal
Most (64%) females were in the age group of 20-25 years and most ileum and ileo caecal region followed by proximal ileum and
(60%) males were in the age group of 35-40 years. Sixty-four out of jejunum. The pathological changes demonstrated on laparotomy
70 patients (92%) were from low socio-economic group with poor included hypertrophic variety of ileocaecal tuberculosis, single or
hygiene and malnutrition. None of the patients had a past history multiple sites of intestinal perforation [Table/Fig-2], multiple small
of tuberculosis, 45% of the patients had a positive family history intestinal strictures [Table/Fig-3], mesenteric lymphadenopathy with
with one or more family members having suffered from any form presence of caseous tubercles, abdominal cocoon, appendicular
of tuberculosis in the recent past. The commonest mode of acute inflammation, and others [Table/Fig-4].
presentation in this series was intestinal obstruction (47%) followed
The surgical procedures included resection of diseased segment
by perforative peritonitis (31%), acute appendicitis (10%) and others
and restoration of intestinal continuity (primary anastomosis),
(12%) [Table/Fig-1]. Diffuse abdominal pain was complained of by
creation of a stoma (ileostomy), stricturoplasty, repair of perforation,
all patients. The pain was severe in intensity, acute in onset and
appendicectomy etc. [Table/Fig-5].
accompanied by nausea, vomiting and constipation. All the patients
complained of low grade fever, anorexia, disturbed bowel habits Resected portions of gut, mesenteric lymphnodes, omental
over last few weeks to months. More than 50% of female patients fragments, caseous material were sent for histopathological and
complained of menstrual abnormalities like oligomenorrhoea, microbiological studies. All patients were proved to be suffering
polymenorrhoea, amenorrhoea and 20% of females complained of from Abdominal Tuberculosis.

8 Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2014 Jul, Vol-8(7): NC07-NC09

www.jcdr.net Arunima Mukhopadhyay et al., Abdominal Tuberculosis with an Acute Abdomen: Our Clinical Experience.

Postoperative complications included respiratory tract infection females showed the presence of tuboovarian mass, and tubercles
(15%), wound infection (10%), septicaemia (7%), anastomotic leaks on the serosal surface of tubes and uterus. Laparotomy findings
(4.6%), stomal retraction (2%), etc . Postoperative mortality was 5% have been variously reported in several series by other authors
due to septicaemia and multiorgan failure. [6-11].
All 70 patients were prescribed ATD for six months (4 drugs:HREZ The choice of surgical procedure depended on site and extent
for two months and two drugs: HR for four months) and were of disease, status of the remaining gut, general condition of
counseled to complete the course. All patients were followed up the patient, surgeons expertise and individual preference. In a
regularly for a year in the outpatient department after discharge considerable number of cases complicated with faecal peritonitis
from hospital. Patients with an ileostomy had a stoma reversal after and intraabdominal sepsis, a two stage procedure with creation of
receiving ATD for 10-12 weeks. Out of all studied patients only a stoma (ileostomy) was preferred to primary anastomosis. Creation
three patients had an episode of subacute intestinal obstruction of a stoma followed by reversal of stoma in a well prepared gut
in the follow up period which could be managed conservatively. after 10-12 weeks of ATD therapy reduces the risks of anastomotic
Others were symptom free and their general condition improved leaks and septic complications [8-10]. The operative procedures of
satisfactorily. At the time of completion of follow up, all the patients different authors varied in different series [6-11].
had completed antitubercular medication. The most common postoperative complications were respiratory
tract infection followed by wound infection which was treated with
Discussion
favourable response. However, three patients had an anastomotic
In our study there was a female predominance (Female: Male=5:3).
leak which later lead to septicemia, multi organ failure & death.
This study showed that abdominal tuberculosis is predominantly a
Mortality was nil among the patients who did not require surgery.
disease of young adults with females being affected at an earlier age.
Similar complications have been described by other authors. The
These facts bear a marked similarity to the findings mentioned in
mortality is more or less the same as reported by most authors
the literature reviewed [1-3,6-10]. Almost all our patients(92%) were
[6-12].
from low socioeconomic group with poor hygiene and malnutrition
similar to cases reported in literature [1-9]. 45% of the patients had Conclusion
one or more family members who had suffered from any form of Abdominal Tuberculosis constituted a significant percentage (10%)
tuberculosis recently. The reviewed literature have reported variable of all cases attending the emergency with an acute abdomen.
percentages of positive family history in different case series [1-5]. Abdominal Tuberculosis is very difficult to diagnose and diagnosis
The different modes of presentation as mentioned earlier with their is often delayed till an acute abdomen is presented with. The
relative frequencies of incidence closely resemble the presentations most common pathology was intestinal stricture with or without
reported in other series [6-9]. Though all patients presented with perforation. Almost all patients needed surgical intervention. Prompt
symptoms & signs of acute abdomen, all of them also complained surgical exploration, vigilant postoperative care and administration
of low grade fever, weight loss, anorexia, disturbed bowel habits, of ATD helped to treat the patients successfully with their complete
abdominal distension, menstrual abnormalities over a variable cure and rehabilitation.
period of several weeks to months. Symptoms and signs have
been reported similarly by other authors with variable percentages References
[1] Kumar S, Pandey HI, Saggu P: Abdominal tuberculosis. In: Taylor I and Johnson
of prevalence [3,6-8,10,11]. CD (Eds) Recent Advances of Surgery. 2008;28: 47-58.
Blood investigations revealed haemoglobin values less than [2] Kapoor VK. Modern Management of Abdominal Tuberculosis. In: Taylor I and
Johnson CD (Eds) Recent Advances of Surgery. 35 th vol.2013:pp156-69.
10gm% in 75% patients. ESR was raised in 80% of cases [3] Sircar S, Taneja VA. Epidemiology and Clinical Presentation of Abdominal
and leucocytosis was present in 100% of patients. Results Tuberculosis-a retrospective study. J. Indian Medical Association. 1996; 94 (9):
of haematology corroborates the findings of other authors 342-44.
[1-5,8,9]. Sputum for AFB was negative in 100% of cases. Chest [4] Sharma M P and Bhatia V. Abdominal Tuberculosis. Indian Journal of Medical
Research. 2004;120:305-15.
x-ray in 100%of cases showed no lesion suggestive of pulmonary [5] Wadhwa N, Agarwal S, Mishra K. Reappraisal of Abdominal Tuberculosis. J. Ind
tuberculosis. None had an active chest lesion. None of the patients Med Assoc. 2004;102(1):31-2.
had a past history of tuberculosis. Associated pulmonary disease [6] Shaikh MS, Dholia KR, Jalbani MA, Shaikh SA. Prevalence of Intestinal
Tuberculosis in cases of Acute Abdomen. Pakistan Journal of Surgery. 2007;
in Abdominal Tuberculosis has been variously observed in literature
23(1):52-56.
[6-8]. The radiological investigation like USG & CT scan all showed [7] Kumar R, Saddique M,Iqbal P, Khan NA. Abdominal Tuberculosis-Clinical
features suggestive of Abdominal Tuberculosis. The reviewed Presentation and Outcome. Pakistan Journal of Surgery. 2007; 23(4):242-44.
literature mentions similar radiological findings in different case [8] Jamal S, Khan ZM, Ahmed I ,Shabbir S. Presentation and Outcome of Abdominal
Tuberculosis in a Tertiary Care Unit.Ann. Pak Inst Med Sci. 2011; 7(1):33-6.
series [1,2,5,7,9-11]. [9] Saaiq M,Shah SA, Zubair M. Abdominal Tuberculosis:Epidemiologic profile and
HIV infection was not present in any of our patients although the management- experience of 233 cases. Journal of Pakistan Medical Association.
2012; 62:704-07.
reviewed literature mentions the possibility of co-existence in about
[10] Baloch NA, et al. A study of 86 cases of Abdominal Tuberculosis.Journal of
10% of cases [2]. Commonest pathological change found were Surgery Pakistan (International). 2008;13(1):30-32.
the presence of intestinal stricture, often multiple in number with or [11] Ohene-Yeboah M. Case Series of Acute Presentation of Abdomonal Tuberculosis
without presence of perforation situated proximally. On laparotomy in Ghana. Trop Doct. 2006;36(4):241-43.
[12] Ko CY, Schmit PJ, Petrie B, Thompson JE. Abdominal Tuberculosis:the surgical
the predominant site of involvement was terminal ileum and ileo perspective. Am Surg. 1996;62(10):865-68.
caecal region similar to the findings of other study [1,2,5-12]. 20% of

PARTICULARS OF CONTRIBUTORS:
1. Assistant Professor, Department of General Surgery, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, India.
2. Professor, Department of General Surgery, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, India.
3. Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Bankura Sammilani Medical College, Kolkata, India.

NAME, ADDRESS, E-MAIL ID OF THE CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

Dr. Arunima Mukhopadhyay,
836 Block P, New Alipore, Kolkata -700053, India. Date of Submission: Jan 26, 2014
Phone: 09830166404, 03324003998. E-mail: ram_ arunima @ yahoo.co.in Date of Peer Review: Apr 18, 2014
Date of Acceptance: May 12, 2014
Financial OR OTHER COMPETING INTERESTS: None. Date of Publishing: Jul 20, 2014

Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2014 Jul, Vol-8(7): NC07-NC09 9