Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is a serious health problem worldwide and constitutes the main infectious cause of death. There are two types of clinical manifestation of tuberculosis are pulmonary tuberculosis and extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Apart of this, extra pulmonary tuberculosis, highly vascular areas such as lymph nodes, kidneys, spine, eyes, bones etc are commonly affected. Methods: The aim of the present study was carried out to determine the clinical profile of patients presenting with EPTB. The diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis relies on the detection of the causative organism after Staining technique for AFB ZealNeelsons method, Ultrasonography of abdomen, Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Results: Our study comprised of 151 individuals, out of whom EPTB showed similar preponderance in males and females. Maximum patients were in the age group 21-30years. Mean age of the study patients was 38.9 years with a standard deviation of 16.5 years. lymphadenitis as the most common form of EPTBin both males and females, followed by pleura, bones & joints, brain & Meninges, Miliary TB and TB abscess. Histopathology is the most commonly used method of diagnosis, followed by chest X ray. Past history of pulmonary TB and concurrent pulmonary TB are more chances to get the EPTB, 4(2.66%) patients had HIV seropositivity. DTB was found to be the commonest EPTB in HIV co-infected patients. Conclusions: In developing countries, the proportion of EPTB is relatively higher. Thus, based on our study there is a need to develop novel diagnostic techniques for appropriate treatment of extra pulmonary tuberculosis and to prevent its complications. Moreover, the treatment should be recommended by the WHO.