Diagnostic challenges of abdominal tuberculosis in children: cases report

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) still remains a public health issue. Growing migration rates increase the risk of spreading TB from endemic countries. Early detection is important for successful treatment especially in children who are particularly susceptible to developing severe forms of TB disease. Abdominal tuberculosis is uncommon form of TB and it is rarely found in children. It accounts for less than 1% of all tuberculosis cases in children. Case report: The aim of our study was to present diagnostic challenges dealing with abdominal TB in children. Clinical data of 3 children with abdominal tuberculosis during the past 10 years in Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas Clinics Pediatric Surgery department were collected and analysed. Patients manifested unspecific symptoms such as abdominal pain, persistent fever, nausea and fatigue. After standard investigations such as blood test, CRP, urine analysis, abdominal ultrasound and X-ray the diagnosis remained unclear. After some additional examination, patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy. Diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis was confirmed by peritoneum biopsy and histopathological examination. They recovered fully after anti-tuberculosis therapy. Conclusions: Early diagnosis is challenging and appropriate treatment often is delayed because of the non-specific and deceptive clinical presentation of abdominal TB