A Clinical Study on Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis

Findings of 80 patients of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis are described in this study. Most of the patients were under 30 years of age (71.2%), female patients were 56.3% and housewives were 37.3%. Lower socio-economic class were commonly affected (66.2%). Eighteen patients (22.5%) were smoker and almost equal number of cases had the history of intake of un-boiled milk. 44% patients were not vaccinated against tuberculosis. 36.2% patients had history of contact with tuberculous patients and 18.8% had previous history of tuberculosis. 70% patients had the history of fever and 30% had history of cough. Significant weight loss was noted in 85% patients. Lymph node tuberculosis was 36.2%, abdominal tuberculosis 35%. Cervical lymph nodes alone (37.9%) were commonly affected among the lymph node tuberculosis. Diagnosis was mainly based on histopathological examination or biopsy of specimen (97.5%) and demonstrations of AFB was possible in 2.5% cases. Along with surgical treatment medical treatment (chemotherapy) were prescribed in every patient. Forty-eight patients came for follow up. All responded to anti tubercular chemotherapy. (J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2006; 24: 19-28)