Gynaecological Tuberculosis in Victoria: A 20‐Year Survey

Abstract

A review of the 181 cases of gynaecological tuberculosis notified in Victoria between the years 1961 and 1980 is made. The incidence of the disease is gradually falling and is currently 0.16 per 100,000. The majority of affected women were found to be immigrants to Australia with Southern European patients predominating. Nearly 46% of the women presented with infertility, while 43% were investigated for various symptoms. Twenty-one patients had children before the diagnosis was made, but only 4 conceived after treatment. A comparison with overseas studies is made.

The masquerades of female pelvic tuberculosis: Case reports and review of literature on clinical presentations and diagnosis

“…However, these could also be features of pelvic malignancy, thus explaining the clinical diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma in all these seven cases. A review of literature shows infertility as one of the common presentations of pelvic TB 7,19–26 . Nonetheless, infertility as an initial clinical presentation was only present in one of our cases (case 3), while one other case (case 4) only presented with infertility 6 years after the diagnosis and treatment of TB.…”

“…However, studies have shown variable predictive values of past or family history of TB in the identification of patients at risk of TB. Whereas an Indian study reported 85% of the patients to have a positive history of TB 20 an Australian study reported only 10% of the patients to have had a positive history of TB contact of some form 23 . It is interesting to note that while most of our women did not have a positive history of TB, Sivanesaratnam et al 14 .…”

“…Whereas an Indian study reported 85% of the patients to have a positive history of TB 20 an Australian study reported only 10% of the patients to have had a positive history of TB contact of some form. 23 It is interesting to note that while most of our women did not have a positive history of TB, Sivanesaratnam et al . 14 reported 25% of their series of 12 women to have a positive past history of TB.…”

“…A review of literature shows infertility as one of the common presentations of pelvic TB. 7,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Nonetheless, infertility as an initial clinical presentation was only present in one of our cases (case 3), while one other case (case 4) only presented with infertility 6 years after the diagnosis and treatment of TB. Interestingly, all but two cases in our series had evidence of tubal disease.…”