INTESTINAL TUBERCULOSIS; DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMA.

Objective: To find out the effective diagnostic algorithm (clinical features and investigations) for intestinal tuberculosis. Design: A retrospective study. Place and Duration of Study: B.V. Hospital Bahawalpur, June 2007 -2009. Patients and Methods: 100 cases of diagnosed abdominal tuberculosis were included in the study. Demographic variables, symptomology, investigations and management detail were recorded from the hospital record of surgical department of B.V. Hospital Bahawalpur. Results: Out of 100 diagnosed cases of intestinal T.B, 55 patients were male. 62 patients were bellow 30 years. Most Common presentation was obstruction (29 %), peritonitis (18%) Abdominal distention (20%) and Abdominal Mass (15%), Histopathology (97%) and laparoscopy (82%) were most sensitive. Operative procedure were right Hemicolectomy (26%), resection Anastomosis (23%), stricturoplasty (13%0, Ileostomy (9%), adhesiolysis (17%). Conservatively managed patients on anti-tuberculous therapy (ATT) were (12%). Wound infection and dehiscence (12%) were the common complications. Four patients died. Conclusions: All patients with prolonged history of weight loss, vague health and non specific abdominal symptoms and those who are under consideration for intestinal tuberculosis should follow the protocol comprising histopathology (laparoscopic/ USG guided / open), complemented by the diagnostic laparoscopy and radiological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]