Pseudo-Tumoral Hepatic Tuberculosis: a Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Tuberculosis involving the liver in the absence of active pulmonary or miliary tuberculosis is very rare. The inflammatory pseudo-tumoral form is an entity difficult to diagnose. We report two patients, who underwent laparoscopic segmentectomy for suspected malignant tumour. Pathology showed tuberculoid granuloma with central caseous necrosis in both patients. The diagnosis in the first patient was made retrospectively on the resection specimen, whereas an active pre-operative work-up for tuberculosis diagnosis (biopsy and Polymerase Chain Reaction) remained futile in the second patient. The management of pseudo-tumoral hepatic tuberculosis needs a multidisciplinary concertation and a surgical approach is often the best way to ensure the diagnosis.

Key words:

• Liver tumour
• tuberculosis
• granuloma.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

T. Tran Ba

Dr. T. Tran Ba Clinique St-Anne St Rémi 66 Boulevard Jules Graindor 1070 Bruxelles, Belgique E-mail: [email protected]