Pelvic tuberculosis

Abstract

Pelvic tuberculosis was diagnosed in 72 patients analyzed during the years 1979–1989. Twenty-nine percent of the patients were over 40 years of age. The most common complaints were infertility (47.2%), abdominal or pelvic pain (32%) and abnormal uterine bleeding (11%). Only 2 patients had past or family history of pulmonary tuberculosis. The physical examination was normal in 31.6% of the patients. The chest X-ray was normal in 81% of the patients. Blocked tubes were present in 32 of 34 patients who had hysterosalpingograms. Even if the diagnosis can be made from a histopathologic examination, hysterosalpingography is also a very useful aid in establishing a diagnosis. The most common site of infection was the tubes. Reconstructive surgery was performed in nine patients. Only one pregnancy was found in the present study without any medical or surgical treatment of pelvic tuberculosis. In one patient with habitual abortion as a cause endometrial tuberculosis was also found.