Abdominal Tuberculosis in Surgical Practice in Northern Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Background: Abdominal tuberculosis is a common complication of pulmonary tuberculosis. With the rising incidence of HIV; tuberculosis has become a major public health problem particularly in developing countries. Methods: This is a retrospective study involving patients whose surgical specimens were processed at the central histopathology laboratory of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria - Nigeria; between January1975 to December 2006. Results: There were 68 males and 49 females; aged 12-70 years (mean 28.6yrs 11yrs). While paroxysmal dry cough was present in about 20 patients; abdominal pain and distension were very common. Concomitant pulmonary tuberculosis was confirmed in 15 patients (14). The findings at Surgery in 66 patients are presented in fig.2. Multiple deposits on the peritoneum and momentum were the commonest findings (48.7and 26.2) respectively. Conclusion: Abdominal tuberculosis is not uncommon and there is need to establish an early less invasive diagnostic protocol