Peritoneal tuberculosis. Videolaparoscopic diagnosis and follow-up

A 21-year-old woman suffering from abdominal pain and a fever of 39 degrees C was hospitalized. Ultrasonography and computed tomographic scan showed a large amount of ascites and one hepatic node. The serum CA 125 level was e levated. Protein Chain Reaction (PCR) searching tuberculosis antigen in asc itic fluid was normal. A diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis was supposed and an exploratory laparoscopic procedure performed. Peroperative observati on of the ascites, with multiple sites of adhesion, and pathological examin ation of the hepatic nodule and peritoneum confirmed initial diagnosis. Ant ituberculous treatment was given for one year. A second laparoscopic proced ure was performed and found no disease remaining. (C) 2000 Editions scienti fiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.