Peritoneal tuberculosis mimicking peritoneal carcinomatosis

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Peritoneal tuberculosis (TB) is a rare form of extrapulmonary TB.
• It often presents with nonspecific symptoms, mimicking other abdominal conditions like malignancy.
• Diagnostic challenges are common due to low sensitivity of microbiological tests.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze clinical characteristics of peritoneal TB.
• To highlight diagnostic difficulties and differential diagnosis with ovarian cancer.
• To emphasize the importance of considering peritoneal TB in endemic regions.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 11 patients diagnosed with peritoneal TB.
• Review of clinical presentations, diagnostic workup, and treatment outcomes.
• Histopathological examination of peritoneal or omental biopsies.

Main Results:

• Most patients presented with abdominal swelling, pain, and loss of appetite.
• Six patients were initially suspected of having ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer.
• Histopathology confirmed caseous granulomatous lesions, but Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in only two cases.

Conclusions:

• Peritoneal TB should be considered in the differential diagnosis of young women presenting with symptoms suggestive of peritoneal carcinomatosis, especially in TB-endemic areas.
• High index of suspicion is needed for timely diagnosis and management.
• Further research into sensitive diagnostic markers is warranted.