A. Schanaider et K. Madi, INTRAABDOMINAL TUBERCULOSIS IN ACQUIRED-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-SYNDROME - DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT, International surgery, 80(2), 1995, pp. 147-151
Tuberculosis (TB) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) immunosuppress
ed patients is characterized by extra-pulmonary disease in as many of
70% of them. If intestinal or lymph node involvement occurs, the diffe
rential diagnosis between an acute abdomen and other non surgical cond
itions may be a challenging problem, The authors analyzed eight double
infected patients (TB and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome AIDS), w
ho were admitted to the University Hospital (HUCFF) of the Federal Uni
versity of Rio de Janeiro, This association should be considered when
abdominal pain, anemia, fever, weight loss and abdominal lymph node en
largement are present, Bacteriology of body fluids, abdominal ultrasou
nd (US) and computed tomography scans (CT) combined with guided needle
aspiration biopsies, barium examination, colonoscopy and laparoscopy,
can not only elucidate the diagnosis but also be helpful in assessing
an appropriate management, Thus a systematic evaluation often yields
an etiology and a correct therapeutic indication reducing the high mor
tality rate.