Korean J Gastroenterol.
2001 Sep;38(3):220-223.
A Case of Tuberculous Abscess of the Abdominal Wall in an Immunocompetent Patient
Abstract
- Tuberculosis of the abdominal wall is relatively uncommon and most cases were caused by a spread of the infection from tuberculous abdominal lymph nodes. Autopsy studies have shown abdominal wall involvement in less than 1% of patients who died of tuberculosis. We have experienced a case of the tuberculous abscess in the abdominal wall. A 21-year-old woman was admitted for the evaluation of a soft mass at the right upper abdomen. A 15 X 5 X 4 cm sized abscess in the abdominal wall was detected by ultrasonogram and CT. Abscess was drained by ultrasonogram-guided aspiration. The confirmed diagnosis of tuberculous abscess was made by means of polymerase chain reaction of the aspirated fluid from the mass. The patient was successfully treated with anti-tuberculosis therapy of four drug regimens. To our knowledge, this is the first report of tuberculous abscess developed in the abdominal wall in Korea.
