Abdominal cocoon syndrome with military tuberculosis

Clin J Gastroenterol. 2021 Apr;14(2):577-580. doi: 10.1007/s12328-021-01344-3. Epub 2021 Jan 21.

Abstract

Abdominal cocoon syndrome coexistent with military tuberculosis is a very rare entity, and its occurrence in a young adult male has not been previously reported. The disease in combination with military tuberculosis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality if underdiagnosed and untreated; hence, a high index of suspicion is required in a patient with tuberculosis presenting with intestinal pseudo-obstruction. The ideal treatment of the combination is surgical excision of cocoon along with oral anti-tubercular therapy (ATT), when the initial conservative management fails. However, surgery is frequently complicated by iatrogenic enterotomy due to the fibrinous cocoon. The best option in these cases may be a bail-out method of diverting jejunostomy. This helps relieve intestinal pseudo-obstruction and promotes early initiation of ATT as has been demonstrated in the present case.

Keywords: Cocoon; Stoma; Surgery; Tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Conservative Treatment
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Obstruction* / etiology
  • Intestinal Obstruction* / surgery
  • Male
  • Military Personnel*
  • Tuberculosis* / complications
  • Tuberculosis* / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis* / drug therapy
  • Young Adult