Clinical Study of Tuberculous Peritonitis

Ku, Nam Sik; Park, Eun Kyung; Lyu, Sang Woo; Lee, Sung Jong; Rhim, Chae Chun; Namkoong, Sung Eun

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics of tuberculous peritontitis from calcinomatosis peritonei.
METHODS
From July 1994 to May 2002, fifteen women who were diagnosed tuberculous peritonitis in Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital were analyzed. We reviewed their medical records.
RESULTS
A total of 15 patients eventually diagnosed by pathological or bacteriological method were reveiwed. Five patients were taken explorative lapartomy and biopsy. Eight patiets were taken laparoscopy and biopsy. One patient shows M. tubcerculous only cutured in ascites. One patient with cervical lyhphadenopathy shows chronic granuloma on cervical lymph node.
CONCLUSION
Tuberculous peritonitis needs differential diagnosis with ovarian cancer because of its vague symptoms as ascites, abdominal pain and fever. Since there is no specific and sensitive method, at present, an explorative laparotomy or pelviscopic surgery can be alternatives for differetial diagnosis between tuberculous peritonitis and ovarian cancer.