HEAD-TO-TOE SPECTRUM OF GASTROINTESTINAL AND HEPATIC TUBERCULOSIS: AN OBSERVATIONAL CASE SERIES FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTER

ackground: Gastrointestinal and hepatic tuberculosis are uncommon forms of extra pulmonary TB, often mimicking malignancy or inammatory bowel disease. Early recognition is vital in endemic regions. We conducted an observatio Methods: nal case series of seven patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal or hepatic tuberculosis at our tertiary care center. Demographic, clinical, endoscopic, radio logical, and histopathological data were collected. Seven cases were identied across diverse anatomical sites. P Results: resentations included dysphagia due to tongue and post-cricoid tuberculosis, upper GI bleeding from duodenal ulcers, abdominal pain with transverse colon involvement, ileocecal and sigmoid disease presenting with pain and diarrhea, rectosigmoid tuberculosis manifesting with bleeding per rectum, rectal tuberculosis with hematochezia, and hepatic tuberculosis with fever and jaundice. Endoscopic biopsies and liver histology revealed granulomatous inammation with necrosis in most cases, conrming tubercular etiology. All patients were initiated on anti-tubercular therapy. Tuberculosis can Conclusion: affect the gastrointestinal tract from oropharynx to rectum, as well as the liver. Awareness of its protean manifestations and maintaining high suspicion are essential to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions in endemic settings.