5 research outputs found
Laparoscopy in the evaluation of women with unexplained ascites: an invaluable diagnostic tool
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess whether laparoscopy is a reliable technique
for the investigation of women presenting with ascites and in whom the
diagnosis remains obscure.
DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized clinical study (Canadian Task Force
classification II-2).
SETTING: University Departments of a tertiary referral center.
PATIENTS: Women presenting in our institution with ascites in whom the
diagnosis remained obscure after an extensive nonoperative diagnostic
work-up.
INTERVENTION: Undiagnosed cases were submitted to laparoscopy, and
selective biopsy specimens were taken for histologic study.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Over a 3-year period, 73 patients were
admitted to our institution with diffuse ascites. In 9 patients
(12.3%), the diagnosis remained obscure, and these patients were
further investigated with laparoscopy. Selective biopsy specimens
obtained at laparoscopy clarified the specific cause of the ascites in
all 9 patients. Peritoneal carcinomatosis was responsible in 5 patients
(a metastatic gastrointestinal tumor in 1 patient, a malignant
mesothelioma of the peritoneum in 1 patient, and a serous papillary
carcinoma of the peritoneum and of the ovary in 2 and 1 patients,
respectively). Three patients were found with miliary peritoneal
tuberculosis, and the last patient had an unusual peritoneal reaction to
methylene blue after laparoscopic adhesiolysis.
CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy is a valuable means of assessing the peritoneal
cavity in patients with unexplained ascites, where the primary cause
remains unclear. The diagnosis can be accurately made with selective
biopsy specimens, and appropriate treatment can be instituted without
delay. (C) 2007 AAGL. All rights reserved
Laparoscopy in the evaluation of women with unexplained ascites: An invaluable diagnostic tool
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess whether laparoscopy is a reliable technique
for the investigation of women presenting with ascites and in whom the
diagnosis remains obscure.
DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized clinical study (Canadian Task Force
classification II-2).
SETTING: University Departments of a tertiary referral center.
PATIENTS: Women presenting in our institution with ascites in whom the
diagnosis remained obscure after an extensive nonoperative diagnostic
work-up.
INTERVENTION: Undiagnosed cases were submitted to laparoscopy, and
selective biopsy specimens were taken for histologic study.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Over a 3-year period, 73 patients were
admitted to our institution with diffuse ascites. In 9 patients
(12.3%), the diagnosis remained obscure, and these patients were
further investigated with laparoscopy. Selective biopsy specimens
obtained at laparoscopy clarified the specific cause of the ascites in
all 9 patients. Peritoneal carcinomatosis was responsible in 5 patients
(a metastatic gastrointestinal tumor in 1 patient, a malignant
mesothelioma of the peritoneum in 1 patient, and a serous papillary
carcinoma of the peritoneum and of the ovary in 2 and 1 patients,
respectively). Three patients were found with miliary peritoneal
tuberculosis, and the last patient had an unusual peritoneal reaction to
methylene blue after laparoscopic adhesiolysis.
CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy is a valuable means of assessing the peritoneal
cavity in patients with unexplained ascites, where the primary cause
remains unclear. The diagnosis can be accurately made with selective
biopsy specimens, and appropriate treatment can be instituted without
delay. (C) 2007 AAGL. All rights reserved