[Abdominal tuberculosis, a diagnostic dilemma: report of a series of cases]. / Tuberculosis abdominal, un dilema diagnóstico: reporte de una serie de casos.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal tuberculosis is one of the most common non-pulmonary tuberculosis infection sites, and it relates to immunosuppression. The nonspecific features of this form of tuberculosis make an accurate diagnosis difficult. The aim of this study is to report seven (7) patients diagnosed with abdominal tuberculosis requiring surgery at the Clinical Hospital of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. METHODS: A descriptive analysis of seven cases of abdominal tuberculosis treated in our center between August 2001 and June 2013 was performed to characterize its clinical presentation and diagnostic elements. RESULTS: Four men and three women (29-68 years old) were diagnosed and operated on for abdominal tuberculosis: three had the peritoneal form of tuberculosis, two had a lymph nodal form and two had the intestinal form. In three cases, abdominal tuberculosis was associated with immunosuppression (HIV and rheumatoid arthritis treatment) and six cases presented with wasting syndrome of at least one month duration. Three patients had an acute presentation with signs of intestinal obstruction. Diagnosis was made by surgical biopsy. Of the seven patients, who underwent surgery, three required bowel resection for intestinal obstruction. CONCLUSION: Abdominal tuberculosis requires a high index of suspicion for an early diagnosis, especially in populations at risk.

INTRODUCCIÓN : La tuberculosis abdominal es una de las variantes extrapulmonares más frecuentes. Se relaciona a estados de inmunodepresión y, dado su cuadro clínico inespecífico, su diagnóstico es difícil. Nuestro objetivo es presentar una serie de siete casos diagnosticados de tuberculosis abdominal que requirieron cirugía en el Hospital Clínico de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de los siete casos de tuberculosis abdominal operados en nuestro centro entre agosto de 2001 y junio de 2013, caracterizando su presentación clínica y elementos diagnósticos requeridos. RESULTADOS: Cuatro hombres y tres mujeres (entre 29 y 68 años) fueron diagnosticados y operados de tuberculosis abdominal: tres en su forma peritoneal, dos ganglionar y dos intestinal. En tres casos la tuberculosis abdominal se asoció a inmunosupresión (VIH y artritis reumatoide en tratamiento) y en seis casos se presentó con síndrome consuntivo de al menos un mes de evolución. Tres pacientes tuvieron una presentación aguda con signos de obstrucción intestinal. El diagnóstico fue realizado mediante biopsia quirúrgica. Los siete pacientes fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente, tres de ellos requirieron resección intestinal en el contexto de obstrucción intestinal. CONCLUSIÓN: La tuberculosis abdominal requiere de un alto índice de sospecha, principalmente en población de riesgo, para un diagnóstico oportuno.

[Tranverse colon volvulus]. / Vólvulo del colon transverso.

The volvulus of the colon is a relatively common cause of colonic obstruction, mainly in the sigmoid colon, less frequent in the caecum, and rarely in the transverse colon. Multidetector tomography (MDCT) is able to establish the diagnosis showing dilated loops of proximal right and transverse colon, which depend on the time scale of evolution, with an abrupt transition site at the splenic flexure and a secondary torsion of the transverse colon mesentery. Volvulus of the transverse requires surgical detorsion in adults. Among the therapeutic options, simple detorsion or detorsion associated with a colopexy are included, but both have high rates of recurrence compared to resection techniques. Surgical resection of the involved segment is required prior to gangrene and perforation. Resection with or without primary anastomosis is the treatment of choice and prevents recurrence. The transverse colon volvulus is a disease of very low frequency and clinical diagnosis may be difficult. The management remains controversial. We stress that although many surgeons will never see a case of transverse colon volvulus, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis of intermittent abdominal pain or acute intestinal obstruction.

Vólvulo del colon transverso / [Tranverse colon volvulus].

The volvulus of the colon is a relatively common cause of colonic obstruction, mainly in the sigmoid colon, less frequent in the caecum, and rarely in the transverse colon. Multidetector tomography (MDCT) is able to establish the diagnosis showing dilated loops of proximal right and transverse colon, which depend on the time scale of evolution, with an abrupt transition site at the splenic flexure and a secondary torsion of the transverse colon mesentery. Volvulus of the transverse requires surgical detorsion in adults. Among the therapeutic options, simple detorsion or detorsion associated with a colopexy are included, but both have high rates of recurrence compared to resection techniques. Surgical resection of the involved segment is required prior to gangrene and perforation. Resection with or without primary anastomosis is the treatment of choice and prevents recurrence. The transverse colon volvulus is a disease of very low frequency and clinical diagnosis may be difficult. The management remains controversial. We stress that although many surgeons will never see a case of transverse colon volvulus, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis of intermittent abdominal pain or acute intestinal obstruction.

Vólvulo del colon transverso. / [Tranverse colon volvulus].

The volvulus of the colon is a relatively common cause of colonic obstruction, mainly in the sigmoid colon, less frequent in the caecum, and rarely in the transverse colon. Multidetector tomography (MDCT) is able to establish the diagnosis showing dilated loops of proximal right and transverse colon, which depend on the time scale of evolution, with an abrupt transition site at the splenic flexure and a secondary torsion of the transverse colon mesentery. Volvulus of the transverse requires surgical detorsion in adults. Among the therapeutic options, simple detorsion or detorsion associated with a colopexy are included, but both have high rates of recurrence compared to resection techniques. Surgical resection of the involved segment is required prior to gangrene and perforation. Resection with or without primary anastomosis is the treatment of choice and prevents recurrence. The transverse colon volvulus is a disease of very low frequency and clinical diagnosis may be difficult. The management remains controversial. We stress that although many surgeons will never see a case of transverse colon volvulus, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis of intermittent abdominal pain or acute intestinal obstruction.