Tubercular Lymphadenitis: As a Rare Cause of Obstructive Jaundice

Obstructive jaundice is an extremely rare presentation of abdominal tubercular lymphadenitis. We hereby report a case of obstructive jaundice in an adult female, occurring as a result of periportal and peripancreatic tubercular lymphadenitis causing compression of the biliary tract. A 42-year-old female patient presented with fever for two months and jaundice for 15 days. Contrast enhanced computed tomogram of the abdomen showed periportal, peripancreatic, gastro-hepatic, and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy with caseation. Provisional diagnosis of abdominal tubercular lymphadenitis was made. Anti-tubercular drugs which are safe in hepatitis were started. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was done in view of worsening of liver function tests and development of clinical features of obstructive jaundice during hospital stay. Confluent lymph nodal mass showing necrotic areas was seen in the hepatogastric, portal, peripancreatic, retropancreatic and portocaval region pushing the pancreas and portal vein anteriorly on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. In view of the clinical deterioration on treatment, ultra-sonography guided fine needle aspiration cytology was also done which revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation. AFB stain did not demonstrate acid-fast bacilli. Though obstructive jaundice secondary to abdominal tubercular lymphadenitis is rare, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in TB endemic area.

Introduction

Abdominal tuberculosis (TB) commonly affects the intestinal tract, lymph nodes, peritoneum and solid organs in varying combinations [1]. Obstructive jaundice secondary to abdominal TB is extremely rare and can be caused by TB enlargement of the head of the pancreas, TB lymphadenitis, TB stricture of the biliary tree, or a TB mass of the retroperitoneum [2]. We describe a patient with biliary obstruction caused by enlarged tubercular lymph nodes.

Case Report

A 42-year-old woman presented to our hospital with fever for 2 months and jaundice for 15 days with malaise and apparent weight loss over preceding 6 months. The total bilirubin was 6.7 mg/dl with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia of 4.9 mg/dl; SGOT, SGPT were mildly raised with marked elevation of alkaline phosphatase. HBsAg, HIV and anti HCV antibodies were negative. Mantoux test was strongly positive with ESR of 86. Chest X ray PA was normal (Figure 1). Abdominal ultrasonography revealed multiple necrotic lymph nodes in periportal and peripancreatic regions.

Figure 1: Chest Radiograph (PA view).

Contrast enhanced computed tomogram of the abdomen showed periportal, peripancreatic, gastrohepatic, and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy suggesting abdominal Koch’s (Figure 2)

Figure 2: CECT abdomen showing necrotic lymph nodes.

Confluent lymph-nodal mass showing necrotic areas was seen in the hepatogastric, portal, peripancreatic, retropancreatic, portocaval region pushing the pancreas and portal vein anteriorly on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography suggestive of tubercular pathology. Mass is encasing and compressing the extra-hepatic CBD just beyond the porta, beyond which CBD is not visualized with resultant proximal mild bilobular intrahepatic biliary radical dilatation. The mass measures approx. 8.3 * 5.8* 5.1 cm in its maximum dimension. Few discrete lymph nodes are also noted at porta, periaortic, postcaval and aortocaval region (Figure 3).

Figure 3: MRCP showing multiple lymph nodes with IHBRD.

Percutaneous ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration of the confluent lymph nodal mass was performed and pathologic examination showed chronic granulomatous inflammation. AFB stain did not demonstrate acid-fast bacilli (Figure 4).

Figure 4: FNA Smear of Peri-portal Lymph Node.

The patient was treated with anti-tubercular therapy. She regained her appetite and weight gradually increased within a month. Bilirubin level had decreased to 2.6 within 4 weeks.

Discussion

Hepatobiliary tuberculosis is extremely rare and difficult to diagnose [3]. The annual incidence of hepatobiliary TB is reported as 1.05% of all TB infections [4]. Abdominal tuberculosis causes obstructive jaundice by mechanical obstruction of the biliary tract either by compression from lymph nodes or mass lesion [5]. Obstructive jaundice secondary to tubercular lymphadenitis can be confused with hepatobiliary malignancy [6].

TB lymphadenitis can be suspected when a contrast-enhanced CT scan shows hypodense masses with peripheral enhancement or when ERCP shows a normal pancreatogram with a smooth narrowing of the CBD [7,8]. US or CT-guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the enlarged lymph nodes may be useful [9]. Cytological examination of the CBD aspirate obtained by ERCP may show acid-fast bacillus on Ziehl-Neelsen staining or may be subjected to TB-PCR for confirmation [10]. Early preoperative diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis causing obstructive jaundice allows a more conservative management and better outcome of the disease as was done in our case and the patient responded to the initiation of ATT with improvement in clinical status and serum bilirubin levels.

Conclusion

Though obstructive jaundice secondary to abdominal tubercular lymphadenitis is rare, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in TB endemic area and early treatment can prove to be lifesaving to the patient.

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