Tuberculosis of the pancreas - a rare diagnosis

Pancreas tuberculosis is a rare diagnosis and is usually associated with mi liary spread. Only a few cases are reported in the literature. A female pat ient was admitted with a history of uncharacteristic abdominal pain, weight loss, weakness, and intermittent fever. CA 19-9 was increased and the CT s can showed an irregular mass in the pancreatic tail. Suspecting the diagnos is of pancreatic cancer, a pancreas tail resection with splenectomy was per formed, The histological examination showed pancreas tuberculosis. Mimickin g pancreatic cancer or presenting with acute/chronic pancreatitis or obstru ctive jaundice, the diagnosis of pancreas tuberculosis is very difficult to make and is usually established after surgical treatment. Although pancrea s tuberculosis is rare, it should be considered when evaluating a pancreati c mass.