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Gastric tuberculosis is an extremely rare entity particularly when it is not associated with pulmonary tuberculosis or an immunodeficient state. Here one patient required surgery for gastric outlet obstruction and was subsequently put on antituberculous drugs. The patient responded well to treatment and is currently doing well in follow-up. This disease though rare should be considered in the differential diagnosis of gastric malignancy and severe peptic ulcer disease.

Tuberculosis, including abdominal tuberculosis, is a common disease responsible for considerable mortality and morbidity. The diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis requires a high index of suspicion due to its vague symptomatology. This retrospective study (of 3 years duration) was conducted on 84 operated cases in whom a diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis (excluding genito-urinary) was made on histopathology. These constituted 5.4% of all the surgical material related to gastro-intestinal tract. The mean age of the patient was 23.5 years, with the youngest patient being only 7 months old. No sex predilection was noted (41 males, 43 females). Eighteen patients (21.4%) belonged to the paediatric age group (0-15 years). Majority of patients (92.8%) presented with features of intestinal obstruction. Sixteen patients were already receiving anti-tuberculous treatment. Terminal ileum (49 cases) was the most common site of involvement followed by appendix (9), jejunum (5), anal canal (4), caecum (3) and colon (2). One case of duodenal tuberculosis was also confirmed. The important features noted in this study were high paediatric patient involvement (21.4%), significantly higher incidence of intestinal perforation (69%) and rarity of gastroduodenal tuberculosis (1.2%). Concomitant infections like typhoid and worm infestations were also seen.

The epidemiology and clinical presentation of abdominal tuberculosis were studied retrospectively in 298 adult cases admitted in Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi over a 3-year period. These constituted 17% of the total number of admissions for tuberculosis. Age at presentation was variable with maximum cases in 21 to 40-year age group (58% of cases) with a mean age of 32.7 years. There was a slight female preponderance (57%). Sixty-three per cent were residing in urban areas. Pain abdomen, ascites and subacute intestinal obstruction were the commonest modes of presentation (34%, 30%, 28% respectively). Other clinical features included fever (21%), altered bowel habits (19%), weight loss (8%) and lump abdomen (6%). Acute intestinal obstruction and lower gastro-intestinal bleeding were uncommon (5% and 4% respectively). Co-existent pulmonary tuberculosis was seen in 16% cases. Histological evidence was available in 41% cases. Majority improved with conservative management with only 21% requiring surgical intervention. Mortality recorded was 11%.