Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis in the Uterine Cervix: A Case Report

Abstract

Tuberculosis of the uterine cervix is grouped under genital tuberculosis. Other sites for genital tuberculosis include the Fallopian tubes and the endometrium. Genital tuberculosis and other types of tuberculosis outside the lungs are referred to as extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). Genital tuberculosis presents with unspecific symptoms and signs; and because of this, most often, the diagnosis is made incidentally during investigations for other conditions that present with similar clinical pictures. Therefore, misdiagnosis and wrong treatment are not uncommon. We present a case of tuberculosis of the uterine cervix which was incidentally diagnosed when the patient was being investigated for cervical cancer, and successfully treated with a 6-months rifampicin regimen, 2RHZE/4HRE. Health providers have a duty to highly suspect tuberculosis of the cervix among women who present with abnormal vaginal discharge, abnormal vaginal bleeding and post-coital bleeding especially in countries where HIV and TB are endemic. If properly diagnosed and correctly treated, tuberculosis of the uterine cervix is curable.