Oesophageal tuberculosis: rare but not to be forgotten.

Momin N, Chong VH.

Singapore Med J. 2012 Sep;53(9):e192-4.

ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in underdeveloped and developing nations. Manifestations could be nonspecific and may mimic many other conditions, including malignancies. Oesophageal involvement is surprisingly rare despite the high prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and the close proximity of these two structures. We report two cases of oesophageal tuberculosis; a 73-year-old man with simultaneous oesophageal, stomach and duodenal involvement, and a 45-year-old man with isolated oesophageal involvement. Underlying malignancies were initially suspected in both cases, but they were eventually diagnosed as tuberculosis.

Correspondence: Chong VH. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan, BA 1710, Brunei Darussalam. chongvuih@yahoo.co.uk.

Article is available from the journal website at http://www.sma.org.sg/UploadedImg/files/SMJ/5309/5309cr5.pdf