An Atypical Ovarian and Peritoneal Pelvic Tuberculosis Complicated by Toxidermia

Abstract

Background: Ovarian tuberculosis is a rare form of tuberculosis. Its clinical presentation mimics an ovarian tumor, leading to misdiagnosis. Proper treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs can lead to a cure for the disease but can sometimes cause adverse effects that compromise therapeutic management. Observation: We report a 71-year-old female Senegalese patient who presented with a chronic abdominopelvic mass with an elevated Cancer Antigen 125 (CA125) level, raising the suspicion of an ovarian tumor. She underwent an exploratory laparotomy and the anatomopathological study confirmed the diagnosis of ovarian and peritoneal tuberculosis. After starting treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs, she developed toxidermia in the form of generalized urticaria. Discontinuation of the four-drug therapy and separate reintroduction of anti-tuberculosis drugs led to the incrimination of rifampicin. Progress was then favorable on Isoniazid (H) pyrazinamide (Z) and Ethambutol (E). Conclusion: Ovarian tuberculosis should be suspected in the presence of an abdominopelvic mass in a woman living in an endemic area. The occurrence of adverse reactions to anti-tuberculosis treatment is not uncommon, hence the importance of regular monitoring.