title: Intraperitoneal tuberculous abscess: Computed tomography features.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the computed tomography (CT) features of intraperitoneal tuberculous abscess (IPTA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight patients with IPTA confirmed by pathology were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical symptoms, medical images, and surgical findings were evaluated. Involvement of the intestine, peritoneum, viscera, and lymph nodes was also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 8 patients had a history of abdominal discomfort for 1 to 6 mo. Physical examination revealed a palpable abdominal mass in 6 patients. Three patients had no evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). All IPTAs (11 abscesses) were seen as a multiseptated, peripherally enhanced, hypodense mass with enlarged, rim-enhanced lymph nodes. The largest abscess diameter ranged from 4.5 cm to 12.2 cm. CT showed 2 types of IPTA: Lymph node fusion and encapsulation. Of the 8 patients, one had liver tuberculosis and one had splenic and ovarian tuberculosis. Two cases showed involvement of the terminal ileum and ileocecal junction. Ascites were found in 4 cases. Three patients had peritonitis and mesenteritis. Three patients showed involvement of the omentum. Three patients had histological evidence of caseating granuloma, and 5 had histological evidence of acid-fast bacilli.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT is crucial in the detection and characterization of IPTA. Certain CT findings are necessary for correct diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Peng Dong, Xi-Zhen Wang, Ya-Qin Wang, Medical Imaging Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Peng Dong, Xi-Zhen Wang, Ya-Qin Wang, Medical Imaging Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Jing-Jing
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Peng Dong, Xi-Zhen Wang, Ya-Qin Wang, Medical Imaging Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Xi-Zhen
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Peng Dong, Xi-Zhen Wang, Ya-Qin Wang, Medical Imaging Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261031, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Ya-Qin
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Wang
keywords: Abdomen; Abscess; Computed tomography; Diagnosis; Tuberculosis; X-ray