Question

Which of the following is true regarding fallopian tube tuberculosis?

• A. Most common type of genital TB
• B. Size of the tubes is unchanged
• C. Is asymptomatic
• D. Primary focus of infection is always in the fallopian tubes

Hint:

Think about which pelvic structure TB bacilli reach first via the bloodstream.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Genital tuberculosis is almost always secondary to a primary focus elsewhere, most often the lungs, and it spreads to the pelvis mainly by the haematogenous route. The fallopian tubes are the first and most frequently involved site, so tubal involvement is reported in nearly 90 to 100 percent of cases of genital TB. This makes the fallopian tube the most common type of genital TB.

Step 2: Because the tubes are affected first and most heavily, option (a) is correct. The infection then descends to involve the endometrium, which is the next most common site, followed by the ovaries and cervix.

Step 3: Why the distractors are wrong. The tubes are NOT unchanged in size; they become thickened, beaded and may show a tobacco-pouch appearance, so (b) is false. Genital TB is frequently silent but it is not always asymptomatic; infertility, menstrual disturbances and chronic pelvic pain are common presentations, so (c) is not the single best answer. The primary focus is almost never the tube itself; it is usually pulmonary, so (d) is false.

Step 4: The single best and medically correct statement is therefore that fallopian tube TB is the most common type of genital TB.