Perforation due to ileocaecal tuberculosis

A 40-year-old male patient was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit with com plicated pulmonary tuberculosis. After 4 days he developed an acute abdomen with free air as demonstrated on plain abdominal films. A laparotomy was p erformed and an ileal perforation was found, located just before the ileoca ecal valve. A right hemicolectomy was carried out and the resected specimen was send for further patho-anatomical examination. Our suspicion of ileoca ecal perforation due to tuberculosis was confirmed. Despite further extensi ve medical treatment, the patient died 15 days after admission to the hospi tal. At autopsy, the cause of death was confirmed as being due to fulminant pulmonary tuberculosis.