From the Guidelines
The most common sites of extrapulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) are the ileocecal region and terminal ileum, as well as the genitourinary tract.
Common Sites of Extrapulmonary TB
- The ileocecal region and terminal ileum are the most common sites of abdominal TB, which is a common form of extrapulmonary TB 1.
- The genitourinary tract is also a common site of extrapulmonary TB, with genitourinary TB (GUTB) representing 4.6% of extrapulmonary TB cases in the EU between 1997 and 2017 1.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB can be challenging due to non-specific symptoms and the lack of a single diagnostic test 1.
- Treatment of extrapulmonary TB typically involves a 6-month course of combination drug therapy, including isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, followed by a 4-month continuation phase with isoniazid and rifampicin 1.
Clinical Presentation
- The clinical presentation of extrapulmonary TB can be variable and non-specific, with symptoms mimicking other infectious or inflammatory diseases, and even neoplastic conditions 1.
- Patients with GUTB may present with non-specific urological symptoms such as haematuria, increased urinary frequency, and abdominal pain 1.
From the Research
Common Sites of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis
The most common sites of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) include:
- Lymph nodes 2, 3, 4, 5
- Pleura 2, 3, 4, 5
- Bones and joints 3, 4, 6
- Central nervous system 3, 4, 6
- Genitourinary system 3
- Pericardium 3
- Gastrointestinal tract 3
- Skin, ear, nose, and throat 3
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB is often difficult and based on clinical, radiological, bacteriological, and histological findings 2, 3, 4, 5. Treatment is generally the same as for pulmonary TB, but the duration of treatment may vary depending on the site of involvement and the extent of the disease 2, 3, 4, 5. Corticosteroids may be indicated in certain cases, such as meningeal and pericardial localizations 2.