The liver in tuberculous peritonitis.
Tuberculous peritonitis is a common form of abdominal tuberculosis and is frequently associated with liver disease. Diagnosis of this disease presents a diagnostic dilemma and the presence of liver cirrhosis further confounds the clinical picture. Moreover, the co-existence of these two diseases casts doubt on the validity of various diagnostic tests available. The interpretation of tests of ascitic fluid analysis becomes questionable despite the fact that peritoneal tuberculosis and liver disease cause ascites to develop through separate mechanisms. In addition, the treatment of tuberculosis mandates a better understanding of the co-existent disease in view of the potential hepatotoxicity of anti-tuberculous medication. This review aims to address the prevalence of coexistent liver disease in patients with tuberculous peritonitis, the diagnostic difficulties posed by such and the various treatment approaches to be adopted.
Sanai
Faisal M
FM
Department of Hepatology, Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. fsanai@rmh.med.sa