Clinical analysis of 164 cases of esophageal tuberculosis

Objective To improve the recognization and reduce misdiagnosis of esophageal tuberculosis.Methods 164 cases of esophageal tuberculosis published in Chinese language literature including a case from our hospital were summarized and analyised. All diagnosis were established by histology after endoscopic examination or surgical excision.Results There were more females than males(F/M= 1.3∶1) and most of them (81.9%) were below the 45 years old. Almost every one had suffered with dysphagia or chest pain. The sites of lesions were usually middle part of esophagus(69.5%), Only 46 cases(34.3%) were confirmed before surgery by endoscopic examination and most of the others were mistaken as carcinoma (96.6%). Only 151 cases had therapeutic record . All of them were cured after receiving antituberculous therapy and 104 cases of them also receiving thoracotomy.Conclusion Most cases of tuberculosis of esophagus are younger than 45 years old and females were more compared to males. It always occurs at middle part of esophagus and the predorminant symptoms were dysphagia or chest pain. Diagnosis can be difficult even based on endoscopic examination and usually mistaken for carcinoma. Most cases can be successfully treated with antituberculous chemotherapy or combined with surgery.