title: Exploratory laparotomy for diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis.
abstract: Tuberculous (TB) peritonitis is uncommon but may present at any age and socioeconomic group. We reviewed 14 patients with TB peritonitis diagnosed during a five year period (six were white and eight, Pacific Islanders). The mean age was 31 years (a range of three to 69 years). Symptoms, signs and laboratory and roentgenologic studies were not specific. Peritoneal tap and laparoscopic procedures gave positive results of Mycobacterium tuberculi in four of seven patients. Diagnosis was not suspected in two patients until autopsy. TB peritonitis was confirmed at exploratory laparotomy in the other eight patients. Several common misconceptions about TB peritonitis have been discussed and refuted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu.
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lisehora
authors.forename: Y T
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Barcia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006254:Hawaii; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000208:ethnology; D014395:Peritonitis, Tuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014374:Tuberculin Test
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents