A case report of peritoneal tuberculosis diagnosed by laparoscopy in a low prevalence setting

Abstract

Peritoneal tuberculosis is a rare extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis. Considering the diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis in a low prevalence setting can be vital for further clinical management in selected patients. In a young male with migration background, presenting with generalised abdominal pain, computed tomography revealed ascites, omental and peritoneal thickening and enlarged mesentery lymph nodes. Computed tomography also revealed a distal ureteral calculus at the right vesico-ureteral junction. Diagnostic laparoscopy showed a nodular degeneration of the visceral and parietal peritoneum and adhesions in the upper peritoneal cavity. Tissue biopsy of peritoneal lesions and omentum was performed. Histological examination revealed granulomas with central caseating necrosis. The ureteral stone was removed by means of ureteroscopy. Prompt diagnosis of peritoneal TB made possible to start anti-tuberculous chemotherapy without significant delay. The low prevalence of peritoneal TB demands a high index of suspicion in patients at risk presenting with nonspecific abdominal complaints, ascites and constitutional symptoms. Diagnostic laparoscopy leads to a quick diagnosis by direct visualisation of the peritoneal cavity and tissue biopsy. When available, it is the diagnostic procedure of choice to confirm tuberculous peritonitis. The concomitant presentation of tuberculous peritonitis and ureteral calculus can be explained by hypercalciuria in granulomatous disease.

Keywords:

• Laparoscopy
• tuberculosis
• peritonitis
• extrapulmonary tuberculosis
• ureteral calculus

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Bart Lelie for providing histological review of the biopsies, Dr. Francis Vanneste for providing the radiological review of CT images and Dr. Luc Vanmaele for the advice on treatment options and decisions.

Author contributions

JVS: designed the paper, reviewed the literature, contributed important ideas, wrote the paper; JV: contributed important ideas, revised the paper; BD: contributed important ideas, revised the paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.