[Current profile of peritoneal tuberculosis: study of a Tunisian series of 42 cases and review of the literature].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic features, and the outcome of peritoneal tuberculosis in an endemic area of tuberculosis on the basis of our experience.


METHODS
All cases of peritoneal tuberculosis confirmed by histologic examination and hospitalized in the department of gastroenterology of Hedi-Chaker hospital between January 1987 and December 2006 were analyzed retrospectively.


RESULTS
Forty-two cases (mean age 38 years) were included in this study. Clinical presentation was dominated by ascites (100%), fever (76.2%) and abdominal pain (73.8%). The average delay for consultation after the first symptom was 3.6 months. The ascites was exudative in 100% of cases with lymphocytic predominance in 96.6%. The tuberculous skin test was above 10mm in 39.1% of cases. All of our patients had a peritoneal exploration. A nodular aspect of the peritoneal cavity was found in 40 patients (95.2%). Adhesions were noted in 25 patients. Therapeutic protocols varied among years. The outcome was favorable in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnosing peritoneal tuberculosis is a challenge for clinicians. Coelioscopy with peritoneal biopsies still remains the method of choice to establish a definite diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis.
Amouri
A
A
Service d'hépatogastroentérologie, EPS Hédi-Chaker, 3029 Sfax Eljadida, Tunisie. ali_amouri@yahoo.fr
Boudabbous
M
M
Mnif
L
L
Tahri
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000473:pathology; D014395:Peritonitis, Tuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology
D000995:Antitubercular Agents