A RARE CAUSE OF MASSIVE UPPER DIGESTIVE-T RACT BLEEDING - TUBERCULOSIS OF THE DUODENUM - 2 CASE-REPORTS

Tuberculosis of the duodenum was revealed in two patients by severe up per digestive tract bleeding. These cases illustrate the difficulties in diagnosing tuberculosis of the duodenum which can present as a simp le bleeding ulceration. This ''infectious'' ulcer is an exceptional fi nding but certain diagnosis can be made at laparotomy with extemporane ous pathology of the lymph nodes. For non-complicated cases, the diagn osis may be suspected on the bases of routine laboratory tests. Surger y should be limited as much as possible since specific antibiotics are usually successful in cases of digestive tract tuberculosis.