Rev Pneumol Clin
-
Review Case Reports
[Intestinal perforation occurring at the beginning of treatment: a severe complication of bacillary tuberculosis].
We report 2 cases of intestinal perforation caused by tuberculosis and affecting the small intestine in one case and the colon in the other case. The patients were men aged 49 and 51 years respectively. Both were cachectic and presented with advanced open pulmonary tuberculosis. ⋯ They may occur at any time, and particularly just after an antituberculous therapy has been instituted. Clinical presentation is one of acute peritonitis requiring emergency laparotomy. Mortality has been reduced by technical improvements, notably temporary enterostomy, but perforation remains a serious and often fatal complication of tuberculosis in patients with severe malnutrition.