Benign paroxysmal peritonitis: the principal manifestation of familial mediterranean Fever.

Two cases of familial mediterranean fever are presented. Several other members of the family were probably affected by the same disease. The etiopathogenesis, ethnic origin and clinical symptomatology are discussed in detail. The importance of history and clinical investigation in differential diagnosis is emphasized, in comparison with the non-specific results of laboratory tests. Finally, therapeutic measures are reviewed, of which only colchicine appears promising at present.