Endoscopy in the diagnosis of genital tuberculosis.

From 1977 to 1986, endoscopy (laparoscopy, cystoscopy and hysteroscopy) was used in the evaluation of women for pelvic tuberculosis. Among 687 cases of diagnostic laparoscopy, pelvic tuberculosis was suspected in 101 (14.7%) from the appearance alone. The appearance was correlated with other criteria for the diagnosis. Definitive evidence was found in 70 cases. All 101 patients were placed on an antibiotic. Seventy-three patients reported for follow-up for more than two years. Of them, six (8.2%) were judged to be cured. Thirty-eight (52.05%) improved as determined by second-look laparoscopy and/or negative histopathology or hysterosalpingographic evidence. Eleven women (15.06%) had an intrauterine pregnancy; nine delivered normally, and two underwent termination of pregnancy for medical reasons. There were three tubal pregnancies (4.1%). In 15 cases (20.5%) the disease remained stationary.