Appendicular tuberculosis mimicking a tumor in an adolescent: A case report

Appendicular tuberculosis is rare, particularly in adolescents, and also rarely involves the gastrointestinal tract. It may be confused with malignancies since it has no specific clinical and laboratory findings. A 17-year-old girl was admitted to the emergency department with intermittent abdominal pain and bilious vomiting and diagnosed with perforated appendicitis. During explorative laparotomy, hypertrophic appendix with irregular serosa and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes suggested pericecal tumor and right hemicolectomy was performed. Histopathological examination revealed appendix and lymph nodes compatible with tuberculosis. The patient received anti-tuberculosis treatment and had no recurrence of the disease or gastrointestinal problems during five-year follow-up. In conclusion, gastrointestinal tuberculosis may mimic malignancies and preoperative diagnosis may be challenging.