Abstract
Seven cases of intestinal tuberculosis diagnosed after laparotomy were analyzed. All cases were accompanied by perforation or obstruction of the small intestine. Four of them had active pulmonary tuberculosis. All cases were recieving antituberculosis therapy from preoperative period. Histological examination of the intestine revealed a tuberculose nodule in only two cases. Detection of the causative bacteria could be achieved also in only one case. On the other hand, his tological examination of the mesenteric lymph node offered available information in 5 cases. In the diagnosis of small intestinal tuberculosis, we should be careful not to enmeshed in histological findings of the lesion which might lead to misdiagnosis. Global consideration based on histological findings of the mesenteric lymph node, intraoperative findings and reactivity to the antibiotics would make a correct diangosis. For the intestinal tubercdulosis medical therapy is the first choice and surgical therapy should be done to the patients associating with some complications such as perforation and obstruction.
