Perforation Due to Ileocaecal Tuberculosis

Abstract.

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

Key words:

• Intestinal perforation
• gastrointestinal tuberculosis
• pulmonary tuberculosis
• ileocaecal perforation