Acute abdomen revealing abdominal tuberculosis complicated by a proximal jejunal perforation: Case report

Abstract

Abdominal tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant health concern globally, particularly in regions with high endemicity such as North Africa and Morocco. Despite advances in diagnostic modalities, the nonspecific presentation of abdominal TB poses challenges for timely diagnosis and management. Here, we report a case of abdominal TB in a critically state of a young man from Morocco, presenting with acute abdominal pain and signs of sepsis. Radiological investigations revealed features suggestive of intestinal perforation complicating peritoneal TB. Urgent laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis, yet the patient succumbed to advanced sepsis postoperatively. This case underscores the complexity of abdominal TB diagnosis and management, necessitating a high index of suspicion and multidisciplinary collaboration. With evolving surgical techniques and ongoing research efforts, optimizing strategies for early detection and treatment of abdominal TB remains imperative, particularly in endemic regions.

Keywords

• Abdominal tuberculosis
• Intestinal perforation
• Peritoneal tuberculosis
• Gastro-intestinal tuberculosis
• Laparoscopic findings
• CT scan