Isolated rectal tuberculosis commonly involves sigmoid, ascending, or transverse colon. Rectal
involvement in tuberculosis is uncommon and poorly characterized. Isolated rectal tuberculosis was
defined as focal lesions of rectum in the abscence of d...
Isolated rectal tuberculosis commonly involves sigmoid, ascending, or transverse colon. Rectal
involvement in tuberculosis is uncommon and poorly characterized. Isolated rectal tuberculosis was
defined as focal lesions of rectum in the abscence of demonstrable lesions in the small and large
bowel. Diagnosis of rectal tuberculosis was based on characteristic endoscopic appearance of lesions,
histopathologic feature of tuberculosis in biopsy material and response to antitubercular therapy.
Three patients with isolated rectal tuberculosis were seen at Kwak's hospital. The lesions
observed was classified according to macroscopic morphology as follows: ulcerative, hypertrophic and
ulcero-hypertrophic. Clinical manifestations were non-specific and consists of rectal bleeding, fever,
weight loss, constipation and abdominal pain. One of the three patients had coexisting tuberculous
pleurisy. Response to antitubercular chemotherapy was good.(Korean J Med 64:96-100, 2003)