Pancreatic mass: Remember tuberculosis

Abstract

Pancreatic tuberculosis is a rare disease. Patients with pancreatic tuberculosis often present with nonspecific symptoms, such as low-grade fever, weight loss, and abdominal pain, and with or without a history of tuberculosis or pancreatic disease. It can be misdiagnosed on account of low index of suspicion due to its rarity, and its presenting symptoms are shared by other common pancreatic conditions such as pancreatic malignancy. This could result in unnecessary surgery. As this is a treatable disease which does not require surgery, it is imperative to diagnose this condition preoperatively. We report this patient of pancreatic mass presenting as locally advanced pancreatic malignancy, subsequently diagnosed to be pancreatic tuberculosis and successfully managed with antitubercular medications.