Clinical Features of Tuberculous Versus Crohn's Anal Fistulas, in Korea

Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in isolated perianal tuberculosis: A case report and comprehensive management overview

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health concern, particularly in low-income countries like Tunisia, despite advancements in healthcare and antibiotic accessibility. Gastrointestinal tuberculosis, although rare, can affect various parts of the gastrointestinal tract, with perianal involvement being exceptionally uncommon. We present a case of isolated perianal tuberculosis, emphasizing the complexities in diagnosis and management. In this context, we present a case of isolated perianal tuberculosis in a 51-year-old male, highlighting the diagnostic challenges and emphasizing the need for early recognition and comprehensive management strategies.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 51-year-old male presented with recurrent anal pain and purulent perianal discharge, without respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms. Physical examination revealed indurated ulceration and fistulas, suggestive of recurrent anal fistulas. Biopsy and culture confirmed the diagnosis of isolated perianal tuberculosis, with no pulmonary or gastrointestinal involvement.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Perianal tuberculosis presents unique challenges in diagnosis and management, often mimicking other conditions like Crohn's disease. Differential diagnosis requires a multidisciplinary approach, including biopsy, acid-fast staining, polymerase chain reaction, and cultures. Successful management involves a combination of surgical intervention and antituberculous therapy, yielding favorable outcomes with minimal recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Early recognition and comprehensive management are crucial in isolated perianal tuberculosis to prevent recurrence and unnecessary surgical interventions. This case underscores the importance of considering tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of perianal pathologies, particularly in TB-endemic regions like Tunisia. Prompt initiation of appropriate therapy is essential for favorable patient outcomes.

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis: A systematic review of epidemiology, presentation, diagnosis and treatment

Tuberculosis (TB) once considered a disease of the developing world is infrequent in the developing world too. Its worldwide prevalence with a huge impact on the healthcare system both in economic and health terms has prompted the World Health Organization to make it a top priority infectious disease. Tuberculous infection of the pulmonary system is the most common form of this disease, however, extrapulmonary TB is being increasingly recognized and more often seen in immunocompromised situations. Gastrointestinal TB is a leading extrapulmonary TB manifestation that can defy diagnosis. Overlap of symptoms with other gastrointestinal diseases and limited accuracy of diagnostic tests demands more awareness of this disease. Untreated gastrointestinal TB can cause significant morbidity leading to prolonged hospitalization and surgery. Prompt diagnosis with early initiation of therapy can avoid this. This timely review discusses the epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, current diagnostic tools and therapy.

Clinical Characteristics and Incidence of Perianal Diseases in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

Purpose

While perianal disease (PAD) is a characteristic of patients with Crohn disease, it has been overlooked in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Thus, our study aimed to analyze the incidence and the clinical features of PAD in patients with UC.

Methods

We reviewed the data on 944 patients with an initial diagnosis of UC from October 2003 to October 2015. PAD was categorized as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, abscesses, and fistulae after anoscopic examination by experienced proctologists. Data on patients’ demographics, incidence and types of PAD, medications, surgical therapies, and clinical course were analyzed.

Results

The median follow-up period was 58 months (range, 12–142 months). Of the 944 UC patients, the cumulative incidence rates of PAD were 8.1% and 16.0% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. The incidence rates of bleeding hemorrhoids, anal fissures, abscesses, and fistulae at 10 years were 6.7%, 5.3%, 2.6%, and 3.4%, respectively. The cumulative incidence rates of perianal sepsis (abscess or fistula) were 2.2% and 4.5% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. In the multivariate analyses, male sex (risk ratio [RR], 4.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7–12.5) and extensive disease (RR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.6–10.9) were significantly associated with the development of perianal sepsis.

Conclusion

Although the clinical course of PAD in patients with UC is not serious, in clinical practice, PAD is not rare in such patients. Therefore, careful examination and appropriate management for PAD is needed if the quality of life for patients with UC is to be improved.