Peritoneal tuberculosis: An uncommon disease calling for close scrutiny

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease with diverse clinical manifestations. It typically attacks the lungs (pulmonary); however, it may also affect other parts of the body (extrapulmonary) with or most commonly without lung involvement. Notable extrapulmonary infection sites include pleura, central nervous system, lymphatic system, genitourinary system, bones and joints, and abdomen. Abdominal TB is one of the most prevalent forms of extrapulmonary presentations of this variable disease. Given the patients with abdominal complaints especially in developing countries, where the disease is endemic, it should be kept in mind that abdominal TB has numerous differential diagnoses. Case Presentation: Our case is a 46 year-old female with left upper abdominal pain and mass sensation, with no associated signs or symptoms, but negative family history of TB and carcinoma. The patient underwent several diagnostic procedures so that the ultimate cause for her abdominal pain would be discovered among various existing differential diagnoses. Discussion: Peritoneal TB, although not very common, is still the important cause of not only abdominal symptoms but also female infertility. The need to pay more accurate attention to peritoneal TB in endemic areas, especially in young patients considered to have peritoneal carcinomatosis, seems very important. © 2013, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center