Tuberculous Anal Fistula: A Case Series

Abstract

Anal tuberculosis is an uncommon form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, frequently misdiagnosed as cryptoglandular anal fistulas due to similar clinical presentations. In a series of 8 cases observed in a proctologic surgery department, patients initially underwent conventional surgical treatment for the fistula, with a systematic referral of the fistulous tract for pathological examination. Pathological findings raised suspicion of tuberculosis, which was subsequently confirmed using diagnostic tools like the Quantideron test and Polymerase Chain Reaction. Following diagnosis, all patients were prescribed a 6-month course of antituberculous treatment. The treatment regimen led to favorable outcomes in all cases, highlighting the importance of considering tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of anal fistulas, particularly in areas with a high prevalence of tuberculosis or in immunocompromised patients. Early detection and appropriate antituberculous therapy are essential for successful treatment of anal tuberculosis.