Splenic tuberculosis in patients with fever of unknown origin
Farid, Z.; Kamal, M.; Karam, M.; Mousa, M.; Anis, E.; Mateczun, A.J.
Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association 72(1-2): 1-10
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0013-2446 PMID: 17265622 Document Number: 471997
Splenic tuberculosis is uncommon. We report here splenic tuberculosis in 5 patients with fever of over 3 weeks duration. In the 5 patients, abdominal ultrasonography and/or abdominal computed tomography revealed multiple hypoechoic and hypodense splenic lesions. Diagnosis required biopsy of cervical lymph nodes in four cases and splenectomy in one. Despite vigorous antituberculous therapy with isoniazid, rifampin, and ethambutol, the clinical condition of 2 of these patients worsened and splenectomy was done. Histological examination of a tissue specimen of the spleen showed multiple caseating granulomas.