Medically managed pseudo-tumoral form of hepatic tuberculosis

Abstract FRE

Hepatic tuberculosis is rare and difficult to diagnose in an immunocompetent individual with no evidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the lung.

We report a case of pseudo-tumoral form of hepatic TB treated medically.

A 21 year old man presented with 10-month history of upper abdominal pain and weight loss, abnormal liver function, and raised inflammatory markers.

Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed two lesions measuring 8 and 7 cm respectively, and occupying the right lobe of the liver.

A guided liver biopsy of the lesion gave inconclusive results.

Six months later, the patient was readmitted with cervical lymph nodes.

Subsequent lymph node biopsy and histology revealed granulomatous inflammation suggesting tuberculosis.

Following anti-tuberculous therapy, repeated CT scan revealed a regression of the initial findings.

The current case illustrates the diagnostic difficulties of isolated hepatic TB and the importance of the medical therapeutic approach.