Abstract

In developed countries there is a 15-20% prevalence of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) among all TB patients but in developing countries like the Philippines it is much higher. EPTB is transmitted blood borne to extrapulmonary sites like the lymph nodes of the neck , pleura, meninges, bone , intrabadominal and urogential sites from the lungs where TB bacilli is inhaled, deposited and grown. 

Main objective is to find out the clinical profile of patients with EPTB enrolled at WVMC DOTS Clinic from January 2016 to December 2017.

Chart review of patients with EPTB enrolled at WVMC DOTS Clinic with histopathologic report was done.

21 cases were reviewed. EPTB lesions mostly presented as neck masses 7 followed by inguinal 2 , vertebral mass 2, submandibular 1, upper eyelid 1 , intraabdominal abscess 1, endometrium 1, psoas abscess 1 , parotid gland 1,ileocecal 1 , axillary abscess 1, TB meningitis 1 and liver nodule 1. Most presented with weight loss  (43%) cough (33%), back pain (28%) & tiredness (28%). Majority were newly diagnosed EPTB in 86% and treated as Cateogry I cases (71%).Subjects were mostly  19-29 yrs old (43%), males (62%), urban dwellers (48%), single (67%), had prior TB exposure (48%), alcohol drinkers (43%)and smokers ( 52%) and had normal chest xray (67%) 

In conclusion we should be more vigilant in the diagnosis of EPTB as most patients have normal chest xray findings and lesions could present in a variety of ways.

It is recommended that there should be an increase in awareness of this elusive diagnoses.