Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Retrospective Review of 83 Confirmed Cases, Observed in Radiology in Lomé (TOGO)

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis primarily affects lungs, but all organs may be affected. Extra-pulmonary forms of tuberculosis cause a big public health problem as it is diagnosed late. This delay in diagnosis is not only due to the delay in the examination, but also due to difficulties related to extra-pulmonary tuberculosis diagnostic. Aim: To describe the different locations of extra-pulmonary Tuberculosis and its aspects in Togo. Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis of all extra-pulmonary tuberculosis cases diagnosed by imaging over five years (January 2010 to December 2015) was done. All the cases were confirmed either by direct examination of biological fluids or by histological analysis of biopsy and surgical samples or by culture on specific area. Data were collected from the Department of Radiology, from Microbiology Laboratory of the Pneumo-phthisiology unit and from Pathology Laboratory of Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital of Lomé. Results: A total of 83 cases of extra-pulmonary Tuberculosis had been taken in account: 45 men and 38 women, with a maximum number of cases (66.3%) in the age group between 20 to 40 years old. An HIV infection was known in 51 patients (61.4%). Pulmonary damage was associated in 21 patients (25.3%). A total of 116 extra-pulmonary tuberculosis locations were recorded. Damages were pleural in 37.1% (43), ganglion in 24.1% (28), osteo-articular in 15.5% (18), abdominal in 12.9% (15), military represented 8.6% (10), a case of testicular damage, and a case of mammary tuberculosis. Conclusion: The medical scanning based on conventional radiography, ultrasonography and TDM is indispensable for the diagnosis and the care taking of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis since some locations may be confused with many other diseases and lead to misdiagnosis errors and delay the treatment.