Chronic granulomatous colitis due to tuberculosis

Abstract

Chronic granulomatous colitis secondary to tuberculosis is a rare manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. This condition is very difficult to identify, as most of its symptoms are nonspecific, resulting in a late diagnosis, considering that the disease is curable and preventable.

Case: a 42-year-old man with 6/10 abdominal pain in the right iliac fossa. On physical exam, there was pain on palpation in the right iliac fossa, with mild pain on deep palpation and no signs of peritoneal irritation. Laboratory tests showed no signs of local or disseminated infection, but histopathology reported chronic colitis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Discussion: intestinal tuberculosis is the sixth cause of extrapulmonary infection, most often located in the ileocecal region. Its signs and symptoms are fever, fatigue, weight loss and abdominal pain. It is treated with antitubercular medications for an average of six months, with subsequent medical improvement and endoscopic remission.