Important Pathology In The Differential Diagnosis of Crohn's Disease: Tuberculosis Ileocolitis

Abstract

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that is the one of the common causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. It has two forms as primary and secondary. The secondary form is quite rare and should be considered in differential diagnosis of some other diseases (1).Especially, intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) can be difficult to distinguish from Crohn’s Disease which is an inflammatory bowel disease. ITB is a disease that can affect gastrointestinal system and histopathologically characterized by caseating granulomas. Clinical suspicion has a primary importance in diagnosis. Early diagnosis is crucial for better prognosis and lower rates of relapses.

A 38 year old female patient who had ileocolitis revealed by colonoscopy, was hospitalized for abdominal non-spesific symptoms with Crohn’s pre-diagnosis. After clinical examination she was diagnosed with ITB and systemic medical anti tuberculosis therapy was initiated. Regression of symptoms and signs strengthened our diagnosis. We present a case emphasizing that ITB should be considered in differential diagnosis of other causes of ileocolitis, specially Crohn’s disease.

Keywords

• Crohn’s,ileocolitis,intestinal tuberculosis

References

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