Aspects of Evolving Genito Urinary Tuberculosis-A Profile of Genito Urinary Tuberculosis (GUTB) in 110 Patients

• Main Authors: SRIRAM KRISHNAMOORTHY, VELMURUGAN PALANIYANDI, NATARAJAN KUMARESAN, SIVASANKAR GOVINDARAJU, JAYAGANESH RAJASEKARAN, ILANGOVAN MURUGAPPAN, VENKAT RAMANAN, MUTHULATHA NAVANEETHA KRISHNAN
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2017-09-01
• Series: Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
• Subjects: acid fast bacilli; hydronephrosis; nephrectomy; tubercle bacillus; tuberculoma
• Online Access: https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/10557/25882_140317_25882_CE[Ra1_F(RK)_PF1(RB_SS)_PFA(MJ_AP).pdf
• ISSN: 2249-782X; 0973-709X

Introduction: Genito Urinary Tuberculosis (GUTB) is a widespread disease seen in urology practice. The true incidence and prevalence of GUTB is difficult to estimate because a large number of patients remain asymptomatic. Aim: To recognize typical and atypical clinical and radiological features of tuberculosis and to emphasize the need for diagnosing GUTB early. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted in 110 cases of GUTB diagnosed and treated in two teaching institutions over a period of three years, from July 2002 to June 2005. A detailed history, thorough clinical examination, urine examination, culture for tubercle bacillus, imaging studies, cystoscopy and histological and serological examination were done to arrive at a diagnosis. Results: Fifty six patients (51%) were in the age group of 21-40 years. The male: female ratio was 1.4: 1. Loin pain was the most common symptom observed in 27% of the patients. Intravenous Urogram (IVU) revealed non-visulalised kidney in 25 patients (23%), hydronephrosis or hydrouretero nephrosis in 34 patients (31%) and distortion, cavitation or scarring of the calyces in 16 patients (14.5%). Five of them had thimble bladder. In 14 patients, IVU appeared normal. About 28 patients (25%) were treated conservatively with anti tuberculosis therapy. Twenty one of them (19%) underwent Nephrectomy and 10 patients had reconstructive procedures. Conclusion: A peculiarity of most of our patients was a late presentation with advanced disease. Most patients were asymptomatic or ignorant. Slow but continuous infection causes a destruction of renal parenchyma and the healing process leads to renal parenchymal loss. If identified early and treated appropriately, GUTB is a curable condition.