[Tuberculous peritonitis. 'Forgotten' disease]

To analyze diagnosis and treatment of patients with tuberculous peritonitis, to develop the algorithms for instrumental examination and differential diagnosis.

There were 48 patients with tuberculous peritonitis. The examination included radiography, abdominal and thoracic computed tomography, ultrasound, and laparoscopy. All patients underwent histological, cytological, microbiological and molecular-genetic analysis of abdominal exudate and peritoneal biopsy. Exclusion criterion was signs of secondary peritonitis.

Clinical picture of tuberculous peritonitis was accompanied by nonspecific symptoms. Previously identified pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV-infection were present in 93.8 and 70.8% of patients. Diagnostic laparoscopy of abdominal cavity as the main method of instrumental diagnosis together with cytological, molecular-genetic and microbiological research of peritoneal exudate and tissue specimens were useful to determine diagnosis in 87.2-95.8% of cases.

Tuberculous peritonitis may be assumed in patients with previous tuberculosis of lungs or other localizations, HIV-infection. Computed tomography is the most informative method to diagnose tuberculous peritonitis. Diagnostic laparoscopy is indicated for suspected tuberculous peritonitis. This procedure is supplemented by peritoneal biopsy, cytological, molecular-genetic and microbiological examination of peritoneal exudate and tissue specimens.