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Tuberculosis presenting as dysphagia in an immunocompetent patient: a case report

Journal Volume 88 - 2025
Issue Fasc.4 - Case reports
Author(s) A. Temmerman 1 2, A. Van Hootegem 2, P. Monballyu 3, K. Govaert 4, P. Corens 2
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PAGES 357-360
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DOI10.51821/88.4.14412
Affiliations:
(1) Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
(2) Department of Gastroenterology, AZ KLINA Hospital, Brasschaat, Belgium
(3) Department of Internal Medicine, AZ KLINA Hospital, Brasschaat, Belgium
(4) Department of Pulmonology, AZ KLINA Hospital, Brasschaat, Belgium

Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis can affect any part of the digestive system, including the esophagus. Esophageal involvement in tuberculosis is considered rare and its atypical manifestation can lead to delayed or misdiagnosis. Primary esophageal tuberculosis (ET) occurs when the esophagus is directly affected by tuberculosis while secondary ET arises from infiltration by surrounding structures. We report the case of a 44-year-old immunocompetent Tibetan patient who presented with dysphagia, in whom gastroscopy revealed a subepithelial lesion (SEL). The patient was diagnosed with secondary esophageal tuberculosis by tissue acquisition with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and successfully treated with tuberculostatic drugs. Esophageal tuberculosis must be considered when a subepithelial lesion of the esophagus is found, especially in patients originating from endemic areas

Keywords: tuberculosis, extrapulmonary tuberculosis, mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis, dysphagia..

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
© Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica.
PMID 41493323