Idiopathic Acute Mesenteric Ischemia and Tuberculous Cervical Lymphadenitis in a 28-year-old Man

Abstract

We present a case of a 28-year-old man with tuberculous cervical lymphadenopathy who developed acute mesenteric ischemia with peritoneal signs in hospital. An emergency exploratory laparotomy with resection of 142cm of gangrenous small bowel and end-to-end anastomosis was performed. Subsequently, a thrombophilia screening was done which proved to be normal. By exclusion, the most likely cause of acute mesenteric ischemia in this patient was of unknown etiology which is indeed a rare condition. Presence of a dual pathology namely acute mesenteric ischemia with tuberculous cervical lymphadenopathy is equally rare. A high index of suspicion for diagnosis and prompt operative intervention when indicated improve prognosis in this otherwise grave condition.