Nowadays, because of resurgence of Tuberculosis due to HIV/AIDS pandemic , one must keep Female Genital Tuberculosis as a differential diagnosis for chronic pelvic pain. More so, in India where TB is a Public Health problem.
Pelvic tuberculosis, though generally asymptomatic also causes infertility or menstrual irregularities besides chronic pelvic pain1. The diagnosis is daunting as no single investigation is conclusive1,2,3. Because of adhesions in pelvic organs, treatment with Anti Tubercular Drugs may not cause the condition to return to normalcy.
References:
1. Aliyu MH,Aliyu SH,Salihu HM. Female genital tuberculosis: a global review. Int J Fertil Womens Med. 2004 May-Jun;49(3):123-36.
2. Bose M. Female genital tract tuberculosis: how long will it elude diagnosis? Indian J Med Res. 2011 Jul;134(1):13-4.
3. Thangappah RB, Paramasivan CN, Narayanan S. Evaluating PCR, culture & histopathology in the diagnosis of female genital tuberculosis. Indian J Med Res. 2011 Jul;134(1):40-6.
Competing interests:
No competing interests
05 January 2012
Neeru Gupta
Scientist 'E'
Indian Council of Medical Research
V. Ramalingaswamy Bhawan, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110029
Rapid Response:
Re: Chronic pelvic pain in women
Nowadays, because of resurgence of Tuberculosis due to HIV/AIDS pandemic , one must keep Female Genital Tuberculosis as a differential diagnosis for chronic pelvic pain. More so, in India where TB is a Public Health problem.
Pelvic tuberculosis, though generally asymptomatic also causes infertility or menstrual irregularities besides chronic pelvic pain1. The diagnosis is daunting as no single investigation is conclusive1,2,3. Because of adhesions in pelvic organs, treatment with Anti Tubercular Drugs may not cause the condition to return to normalcy.
References:
1. Aliyu MH,Aliyu SH,Salihu HM. Female genital tuberculosis: a global review. Int J Fertil Womens Med. 2004 May-Jun;49(3):123-36.
2. Bose M. Female genital tract tuberculosis: how long will it elude diagnosis? Indian J Med Res. 2011 Jul;134(1):13-4.
3. Thangappah RB, Paramasivan CN, Narayanan S. Evaluating PCR, culture & histopathology in the diagnosis of female genital tuberculosis. Indian J Med Res. 2011 Jul;134(1):40-6.
Competing interests: No competing interests