Cure8 research brief
This is relevant because a treatable infection (intestinal tuberculosis) can present like colorectal cancer or IBD and lead to emergency surgery. Recognizing it earlier could change management and avoid unnecessary resections in some cases.
Patients with unexplained left-sided colonic strictures or acute large-bowel obstruction, clinicians evaluating colorectal masses or strictures (surgeons, gastroenterologists, pathologists), and clinicians working in or with patients from TB-endemic regions.
This case report describes a rare presentation of isolated left-colonic tuberculosis that produced a stenosing lesion in the sigmoid colon and led to acute large-bowel obstruction.
Imaging suggested colorectal cancer, the patient underwent a diverting colostomy and oncologic sigmoid colectomy, and histopathology of the surgical specimen confirmed tuberculosis. Anti-tuberculous therapy was started and the case had a favorable outcome at one-year follow-up.
Key points: - Left-sided colonic tuberculosis can mimic colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease on imaging and endoscopy; histopathology is often required for definitive diagnosis. - Surgery may be required for complications such as obstruction or when malignancy cannot be excluded; anti-tuberculous medication is the primary treatment once diagnosed.
- Consider colonic tuberculosis in the differential for stenosing left-colonic lesions, especially in endemic areas; preoperative diagnosis may be difficult in pseudotumoral forms.
This entry is based on the article abstract and case report; it is an individual case, not a study of multiple patients. Diagnosis relied on histopathology after surgery, illustrating the challenge of preoperative confirmation in pseudotumoral colonic TB. The article stresses epidemiologic context (endemic areas) as important for suspicion.
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
People with IBD and their clinicians often rely on MRI for monitoring disease; knowing that MRI techniques can also detect other bowel problems helps explain imaging choices and what radiologists may be looking for when...
An infectious cause (amebic colitis) can mimic IBD on colonoscopy and imaging, even without symptoms; misdiagnosis could delay correct treatment.
An ELANE mutation causing severe congenital neutropenia can present with neutropenic enterocolitis that mimics ulcerative colitis. Recognizing neutropenia and pursuing genetic testing can prevent misdiagnosis and change...
