[Splenomegaly and splenic pseudotumor due to tuberculosis: six new cases].

INTRODUCTION

Splenic tuberculosis is rare. The aim of this study was to remind diagnostic problems in this disease, and to evaluate the value of surgery in its management.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Retrospective study of data of six patients (three male and three female, whose mean age was 50 years) admitted in surgical department from 1980 to 2000 for splenic tuberculosis.

RESULTS

In six cases, symptoms were poorly specific; splenomegaly and anemia were constant. In imaging studies, splenomegaly was homogeneous in four cases and heterogeneous in two. Diagnosis of tuberculosis was done without need for splenectomy in four patients. Five patients were operated on: two had diagnostic laparotomy without splenectomy, two underwent diagnostic splenectomy and one had splenectomy indicated for splenic abcess refractory to medical treatment. Four of the five operated patients recovered. The two other patients were lost of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, surgery is useful in diagnosis and treatment of splenic tuberculosis.