Pancreatic tuberculosis in a liver transplant recipient: a case report

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2023 Jul 10:65:e44. doi: 10.1590/S1678-9946202365044. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

The pancreatic form of tuberculosis (TB) is rare and its diagnosis is challenging, since it manifests itself with non-specific symptoms and non-pathognomonic radiological findings, mimicking a neoplasia of the pancreas. Here, we report the case of a patient who had previously undergone liver transplantation and sought care for abdominal pain, weight loss, anorexia, hematochezia and postprandial fullness. Following an exploratory laparotomy and nucleic acid amplification testing on a pancreatic sample that had been collected, the patient was diagnosed with pancreatic TB. The patient received anti-tubercular pharmacological therapy and required percutaneous biliary drainage. Awareness of the possibility of a pancreatic TB diagnosis is important for clinicians. This attention should be even greater in patients who have undergone transplants, who are immunodeficient or who are from endemic areas.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Pancreas
  • Pancreatic Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Pancreatic Diseases* / therapy
  • Tuberculosis* / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis* / drug therapy