Hepatobiliary tuberculosis

Hepatobiliary tuberculosis is a rare manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and is usually secondary to tuberculosis of the lungs or gastrointestinal tract. Diagnosis is difficult pre-operatively in local (focal and tubular) forms because of its rarity and presentation in the form of non-specific symptoms and signs and lack of any defined criteria on imaging studies. Histopathological examination is necessary for definite diagnosis but in cases where there is suspicion of hepatobiliary tuberculosis, with PCR assay diagnosis it is possible pre-operatively. Recommended treatment is with conventional antituberculous drugs and surgical intervention in tuberculous abscess or granulomas. The disease is usually associated with good prognosis under complete antituberculous treatment. The author encountered 4 cases of hepatobiliary tuberculosis over 5 years. The aim of this article is to present current knowledge of hepatobiliary tuberculosis and to comprehensively review all the available literature.