Tubercular colitis masquerading as ischemic colitis: An unusual presentation

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a common clinical problem which can involve virtually any organ and mimic a multitude of clinical conditions. Colonic tuberculosis is a type of intestinal tuberculosis which involves the colon and mimics inflammatory bowel disease. Occasionally, it is also confused with colonic malignancy. We report the case of a young female who presented with abdominal pain, bleeding per rectum. Abdominal X-ray showed evidence of thumb-printing. A possibility of ischemic colitis was entertained. However, further investigation unraveled the presence of tubercular colitis. The patient improved with anti-tubercular therapy. Colonic tuberculosis can mimic a number of clinical entities and should be considered in differential diagnosis of colonic lesions in endemic areas.

Keywords

• Abdominal tuberculosis
• colon
• colonic ischemia
• inflammatory bowel disease
• tuberculosis