Genitourinary tuberculosis; experience in a teaching hospital of southern Punjab

ABSTRACT

Genitourinary tuberculosis is a common accompaniment of pulmonary tuberculosis. If diagnosis and treatment are delayed, irreversible damage can result. Twenty three patients of genitourinary tuberculosis were treated at Nishtar Medical College Multan from 1992 to 1997. Mean age was 37 years. There was no typical symptom or sign. Radiological evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis was present in 11 [47%] patients. Five patients had renal failure at the time of presentation. Four patient had unilateral non functioning kidney, one patient had pyonephrosis and renal stone, six patients had unilateral stricture of ureter [2 upper, 4 lower] and one patient had bilateral stricture of ureter [lower], two patients had bladder mass, two patients had enlarged prostate, three patients had scrotal abscess, one patient had infertility and one patient had early changes. Ablative surgery was required in 5 patients while conservative and reconstructive surgery was done in 18 patients. Diagnosis of genitourinary tuberculosis requires high index of suspicion as there is no typical clinical feature. Early diagnosis is essential to avoid irreversible damage