Sonographic findings in tuberculous peritonitis of wet-ascitic type

Sonograms in 46 patients with tuberculous peritonitis of the wet-ascitic type were analysed retrospectively. The ascites was clear in 24 patients (52%). There were fixed membranes, septa and debris in eight patients (17%), floating debris in six patients (13%), mobile strands or membranes in four patients (9%), and fixed septa in four patients (9%). The patients were divided into two groups depending on the amount of ascites: small amount of ascites with clear fluid in eight patients (17%), and moderate or large amount of ascites with clear or complex fluid in 38 patients (83%). Associated findings were omental 'cake' (26%), hepatomegaly (24%), thickened mesentery with adherent small bowel loop (22%), splenomegaly (20%), pleural effusion (17%), lymphadenopathy (13%), and thickening of the ileal wall (7%). The sonographic findings are not specific for tuberculous peritonitis, but may give valuable information to prevent unnecessary laparotomy.