Nima CL, Wang HG, Zhou Q. Pancreatic tuberculosis: A case report and review of literature. World J Gastroenterol 2025; 31(41): 110398 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v31.i41.110398]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Qi Zhou, Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China. zhouqi@tjh.tjmu.edu.cn
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Gastroenterology & Hepatology
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Case Report
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Nov 7, 2025 (publication date) through Nov 9, 2025
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World Journal of Gastroenterology
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1007-9327
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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Nima CL, Wang HG, Zhou Q. Pancreatic tuberculosis: A case report and review of literature. World J Gastroenterol 2025; 31(41): 110398 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v31.i41.110398]
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 7, 2025; 31(41): 110398 Published online Nov 7, 2025. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v31.i41.110398
Pancreatic tuberculosis: A case report and review of literature
Cang-La Nima, Hua-Gang Wang, Qi Zhou
Cang-La Nima, Hua-Gang Wang, Qi Zhou, Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
Co-first authors: Cang-La Nima and Hua-Gang Wang.
Author contributions: Nima CL and Wang HG designed the study, drafted the manuscript, and made equal contributions as co-first authors; Zhou Q revised the manuscript; all authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Informed consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of this pathological case report and any accompanying clinical or histopathological data and images. The patient has reviewed the manuscript and provided signed consent for its disclosure in scientific and academic literature.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Qi Zhou, Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China. zhouqi@tjh.tjmu.edu.cn
Received: June 7, 2025 Revised: August 5, 2025 Accepted: September 28, 2025 Published online: November 7, 2025 Processing time: 154 Days and 2.1 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Pancreatic tuberculosis (TB) is a rare clinical condition that is frequently misdiagnosed. A definitive diagnosis is often established through surgical biopsy.
CASE SUMMARY
We report a previously healthy 21-year-old male who presented with epigastric pain and fever. Initially diagnosed with a pancreatic abscess and duodenal bulb perforation, the patient declined surgical intervention and was subsequently referred to our hospital. Abdominal computed tomography and endoscopy revealed a duodenal bulb perforation, esophageal and duodenal ulcers, and a mass in the pancreatic head. Endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration identified a hypoechoic mass suggestive of TB. Cytological and histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was diagnosed with primary pancreatic TB and started on anti-TB therapy. At the 1-year follow-up, the pancreatic mass had markedly regressed, and the patient had fully recovered with complete symptom resolution.
CONCLUSION
Pancreatic TB should be included in differential diagnosis; prompt endoscopic ultrasound-fine-needle aspiration and therapy enable recovery.
Core Tip: Pancreatic tuberculosis (TB) is a rare entity that is frequently misdiagnosed, often leading to unnecessary surgery. We report the case of a healthy 21-year-old patient initially suspected of having a pancreatic abscess, who was ultimately diagnosed with pancreatic TB via endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. The patient achieved full recovery after anti-TB treatment. This case highlights the importance of considering pancreatic TB in differential diagnosis to avoid invasive procedures, especially in young patients from TB-endemic areas.
