[Extrapulmonary tuberculosis].

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis has a lower incidence than pulmonary tuberculosis. Almost always postprimary tuberculosis is involved, i.e. tuberculosis which develops with a certain latency after primoinfection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The latency period in different organs and systems differs, it is shortest in tuberculous pleuritis and basilar meningitis-3 months, and longest in affections of the urogenital tract-up to 10 years. The serious character of extrapulmonary tuberculosis is frequently due to its late diagnosis as extrapulmonary tuberculosis is usually not assumed and also because detection of a specific inflammation in poorly accessible parts is difficult, and last not least, also due to the complicated course of the disease, which frequently calls for a multidisciplinary approach.