Abdominal visceral tuberculosis: a malignancy mimic

The Many Faces of the Angry Peritoneum

The peritoneum is a thin membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs. It serves as a conduit for the spread of various pathological processes, including gas and fluid collections, inflammation, infections, and neoplastic conditions. Peritoneal carcinomatosis is the most common and well-known pathology involving the peritoneum, typically resulting from the dissemination of gastrointestinal and pelvic malignancies. However, numerous benign and malignant peritoneal diseases can mimic the imaging appearance of peritoneal carcinomatosis. The aim of this review is to revisit the anatomy of peritoneal compartments and elucidate the patterns of peritoneal disease spread. Emphasis is placed on identifying the distinctive imaging features of both neoplastic and non-neoplastic peritoneal diseases that differ from peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Washout on Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of Benign Focal Liver Lesions-A Review on Its Frequency and Possible Causes

In all imaging methods, including contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), enhancement in the late phase (LP) is an important criterion for differentiating between benign and malignant focal liver lesions (FLLs). In general, malignant liver lesions are characterized by hypoenhancement and washout in the LP. A lesion with LP hyperenhancement or isoenhancement in the non-cirrhotic liver is usually benign. However, LP hypoenhancement in benign lesions is not so rare, and is even normal and the standard for some lesions, and there are exceptions for each tumor entity that can represent a diagnostic challenge. Knowing these contrast patterns and exceptions is key for correct diagnosis and patient management. The following narrative review describes the contrast behaviors and the frequency of washout and LP hypoenhancement for common as well as rare benign liver lesions and analyzes its causes.

The Great Mimicker: Pancreatic Tuberculosis Masquerading as a Pancreatic Neoplasm

Pancreatic tuberculosis is a rare manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, often mimicking pancreatic cancer clinically and radiologically. We report a 26-year-old immunocompetent farmer from a tuberculosis-endemic area presenting with a two-month history of fever, night sweats, and significant weight loss. Although malignancy was suspected, contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen showed a complex lesion in the pancreatic body with central necrosis and an enlarged lymph node. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography also revealed increased metabolic activity in the lesion. However, endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration produced caseous necrotic material, and cytology revealed necrotizing granulomas with multinucleated giant cells. Molecular testing identified Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and other supportive findings included an elevated adenosine deaminase level in the cystic fluid and a positive interferon-gamma release assay. The patient was initiated on a standard four-drug anti-tuberculosis regimen and showed rapid clinical improvement within two weeks. Follow-up imaging at six months demonstrated complete resolution of the pancreatic lesion with residual fibrosis, and the patient remained asymptomatic after completing a nine-month treatment course. This case highlights the importance of including pancreatic tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic masses, particularly in endemic areas. A multidisciplinary approach involving endoscopic sampling, histology, and molecular testing is required to differentiate pancreatic tuberculosis from cancer and to ensure timely management.

Gallbladder and liver miliary nodules: a surprising diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis during emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Disseminated tuberculosis (TB) presenting as miliary nodules on the gallbladder and liver is extremely rare and poses significant diagnostic challenges. This report describes a case of disseminated TB discovered during emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 77-year-old male presented with decreased appetite, weight loss, and fever. Preoperative imaging suggested gallstones and cholecystitis. During surgery, multiple miliary nodules were found on the surfaces of the gallbladder and liver, raising suspicion of metastatic cancer. Intraoperative frozen pathology revealed epithelioid granulomas with necrosis, and postoperative molecular testing confirmed Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

CONCLUSIONS

This case highlights the importance of considering TB in the differential diagnosis of intra-abdominal nodules, especially in TB-endemic regions. Intraoperative frozen pathology and molecular diagnostics are crucial for timely and accurate diagnosis.

Multisystem diseases in the abdomen and pelvis: imaging manifestations and diagnostic roles of cross-sectional imaging

Systemic diseases, such as IgG4-related disease, sarcoidosis, and amyloidosis, usually involve multiple systems or organs simultaneously or sequentially. The gastrointestinal tract, hepatobiliary system, and genitourinary tract are commonly involved in many multisystem diseases and can also be the first sites with disease involvement. Cross-sectional imaging, such as CT and MR, plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of multisystem diseases by aiding in the evaluation of multiorgan involvement. Here, common imaging features of frequently affected organs are reviewed in multisystem diseases that we often encounter in the abdomen and pelvis, and the diagnostic roles of cross-sectional imaging for these diseases are also discussed.

Multimodality imaging of urinary tract tuberculosis

Imaging is a key component of diagnosis and treatment response evaluation of urinary tract tuberculosis (UT TB). Tuberculosis can have a long latency, but if found early, one may have the opportunity to prevent complications such as ureteral strictures, obstructive nephropathy, contracted (thimble) bladder, renal parenchymal destruction/calcification, and renal failure. Imaging can aid in diagnosis and differential diagnoses, evaluate the extent of disease and complications, and guide image-directed biopsy, surgical planning, and evaluation of treatment response. Imaging abnormalities in the renal parenchyma and urinary tract at different stages of the disease, lymphadenopathy, and extra-urinary tract organ involvement are suggestive of UT TB. Recent advances in imaging modalities aid in UT TB diagnosis, follow-up, and guiding treatment.

Mistakes to avoid in the management of abdominal tuberculosis

INTRODUCTION

The diagnosis and management of abdominal tuberculosis, i.e Gastrointestinal Tuberculosis (GITB) and tuberculous peritonitis (TBP) is challenging. Abdominal tuberculosis, presenting usually with abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, and constitutional symptoms, is typically a paucibacillary condition. The diagnosis hinges on a correct interpretation of clinical, radiological, histological, biochemical, and microbiological findings as also appropriately assessing response to therapy.

AREAS COVERED

The authors review potential missteps that could occur in managing GITB and TBP sourced from published literature and clinical experience. These include avoiding excess use of tests with limited accuracy, understanding limitations of ascitic adenosine deaminase (ADA) and granulomas, avoiding empirical antitubercular therapy (ATT) where possible but also understanding that microbiological tests may not always be positive, and finally not to bank solely on subjective clinical responses but to use objective markers in assessing response to therapy. In addition, diagnosis of predisposing immunosuppressed states, attention to nutrition, appropriate management of sequelae with endoscopic dilatation/surgery, and early surgery when indicated are some of the additional issues discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

In future, a more secure diagnosis banking on the use of better microbiological tools, multiparameter-based models, artificial intelligence-based approaches, and use of advances in -omics-based approaches can improve diagnosis and avoid some missteps.

Uncommon ileal perforation due to intestinal tuberculosis: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic granulomatous infectious disorder, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Extrapulmonary TB, which accounts for 20% of cases, includes intestinal TB in 10%. Gastrointestinal TB leads to intestinal perforation in 4% to 7.6% of cases, with a mortality rate of 30%.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of a patient with ileal perforation due to intestinal TB. A male in his early 20s (initial weight, 35 kg) presented with a 2-day history of abdominal pain, exhibiting tenderness, rebound tenderness, and muscular guarding upon physical examination. Computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed a significant amount of free gas and fluid in the abdominal cavity. Subsequently, the patient underwent ileal repair and ileostomy.

DIAGNOSES

Histopathological examination confirmed multifocal amorphous pink caseating necrotic material and Langhans giant cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay confirmed infection with M tuberculosis.

INTERVENTIONS

On the 20th postoperative day, enteral nutrition was initiated concomitantly with antitubercular therapy (ATT). After 1 month, enteral nutrition and oral diet were alternated for 2 months, then changed to oral diet alone, and the patient was discharged to continue ATT. Five months later, the patient's weight increased by 20 kg, and he began exercising outdoors. The patient underwent a successful ostomy reversal.

OUTCOMES

At the 12-month follow-up, his body weight had increased to 65 kg, PCR testing was negative for M tuberculosis, and antituberculosis drugs were discontinued.

LESSONS

This case highlights the successful management of ileal perforation due to intestinal TB with peritonitis, without complications such as fistulas. Diagnosis of small bowel perforations due to intestinal TB remains challenging even for experienced clinicians, and surgical approaches are controversial. We emphasized the significance of diagnostics of such cases and often requiring a multidisciplinary approach involving various medical teams.

Multiloculated thoracoabdominal tuberculosis: A radiological presentation of disseminated tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is more frequently found among high-risk populations in the United States. It has a challenging diagnosis since it can present with diverse organ involvement that may delay the diagnosis. This is especially true regarding hepatic tuberculosis, with prevalence varying in each study but highly suggestive of underdiagnosis. An 18-year-old male with high-risk exposure to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis presented with fever, night sweats, weight loss, and cough. Imaging revealed a right lung cavitary mass with bilateral pulmonary nodules, right pleural nodular thickening traversing diaphragm extending to the liver with subcapsular hepatic lobulated hypodensities. MRI showed spinal involvement consistent with Pott's disease. It is important to consider hepatic tuberculosis in differential diagnoses for a hepatic lesion, allowing early detection and treatment to optimize patient outcomes.

Unraveling the Clinical Quandary: Cryptic Tuberculosis or Splenogonadal Malignancy?

Tuberculosis continues to persist as a significant health problem in multiple parts of the world despite global efforts to eradicate it. A high variability in the clinical manifestation hinders the early diagnosis. Atypical presentations like "cryptic tuberculosis" lack classic clinical and radiological features of the disease and can mimic metastatic cancer, posing a diagnostic challenge. Herein, we report a case of a 70-year-old male with complaints of chronic abdominal pain, who was presumed to have malignant disease of the spleen and testis after clinical and radiological assessment. However, the histopathology and microscopy revealed features of tuberculosis, and a culture test confirmed the diagnosis. Hence, clinicians should be vigilant of the ambiguity of symptoms, especially in immunosuppressed patients and among residents of endemic areas. This can target aggressive efforts to diagnose and treat such unusual presentations of tuberculosis, avoiding unwanted mortality.

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis: Diagnostic approaches for this uncommon pathology

A case report entitled "Primary gastroduodenal tuberculosis presenting as gastric outlet obstruction" recently published in the World Journal of Clinical Cases presented a rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction and highlighted the atypical manner in which gastrointestinal tuberculosis (TB) can present. The literature with regards to this rare pathology is limited to case reports and case series with the largest being published using data from between 2003 and 2013. However, since then the diagnostic tools available have significantly changed with more modern and increasingly accurate tests now available. This editorial reviews the current state of the art with regards to diagnosis in gastrointestinal TB.

Comments and Illustrations of Ultrasound Findings in Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Manifestations

This review describes the appearance of extrapulmonary tuberculosis manifestations in comprehensive and multiparametric ultrasound imaging. The aim is to increase awareness of typical ultrasound findings regarding extrapulmonary tuberculosis, correlate those with pathological features, and facilitate differential diagnosis. Point of care ultrasound protocols can be used as a screening method in high-risk populations, although the negative findings do not exclude tuberculosis. Conversely, the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis can never be made using ultrasound alone, as many ultrasound findings in extrapulmonary tuberculosis are non-specific. However, ultrasound-based sampling techniques can significantly facilitate the collection of samples for microbiological or molecular proof of tuberculosis, as well as facilitating the establishment of alternative diagnoses.