Surgical Oncologist Explains Abdominal Tuberculosis

 Abdominal tuberculosis is a very rare cause of abdominal disease in Caucasians (People of European origin) but it must be considered in all the people in and from the developing world. People living with AIDS should be aware of this as they have more chances of developing it. The most prevalent cause of a gut infection is tuberculosis. A normal chest X-ray shows no lung symptoms in many people who have it. The area most likely to be impacted by abdominal tuberculosis is the ileocaecal region, says the best surgical oncologist in Kolkata.

Tuberculosis can produce stomach discomfort that lasts for a short or lengthy period of time. Diarrhoea is less prevalent in TB than in Crohn's disease, although it does occur sometimes. A low-grade fever is frequent, although it does not always occur in the same way. Like Crohn's disease, tuberculosis can affect any portion of the gastrointestinal system. Tuberculosis is known to produce perianal illness with a fistula. Peritoneal TB can result in peritonitis with exudative ascites, causing abdominal discomfort and fever. Granulomatous hepatitis is also a possibility, says the best cancer doctor in Kolkata.

Risk factors

Immunocompromised conditions such as HIV infection, diabetes mellitus, and underlying malignancy are risk factors for abdominal TB. Cirrhosis of the liver and use of peritoneal dialysis are both risk factors for abdominal TB.

Diagnosis

The ESR is elevated in cases with abdominal TB and a high serum alkaline phosphatase level indicates that the liver is implicated. An endoscopy, laparoscopy, or liver biopsy should be performed to determine the condition. PCR-based methods may now be employed on biopsy specimens to obtain a diagnosis.

Management

When the symptoms of abdominal tuberculosis are severe, even if no bacteriological or histological evidence exists, treatment with numerous anti-TB medications should begin. A popular conventional treatment strategy consists of isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, although the exact decision will rely on drug resistance trends in the region where the medication is administered, says the top gastro surgeon in Kolkata.

In many cases patients would need surgical intervention in the form of intestinal resection and anastomosis and in some cases diversion.