Tuberculous abdominal cocoon: original article.

Background: Tuberculous abdominal cocoon is a rare disease, and diagnosis is seldom made preoperatively. The bowel is encased in a membrane in a cocoon-like fashion. Histopathology is confirmatory.

Methods: This prospective case note review was a study of patients diagnosed with tuberculous abdominal cocoon from April 2005 - April 2008. There were 8 females and 3 males.

Results: All patients had features of small bowel obstruction. All had laparotomy and the characteristic finding of absence of the greater omentum from the involved area and the absence of any stigmata of gut tuberculosis. Peeling of membrane is all that is required, and patients received anti-tubercular therapy postoperatively. In each case, evidence of tuberculosis on histopathology of membrane was present.

Conclusion: Tuberculous abdominal cocoon is a rare entity. Females are commonly affected. Surgery is the preferred treatment.