Peritoneal tuberculosis.

In a total of 8,400 laparoscopies performed over a period of 16 years, 42 cases of tuberculous peritonitis (0.5%) were diagnosed. Free ascites with multiple yellowish-white nodules in the peritoneum, thickening and hyperemia and retraction of the greater omentum were found in 35 cases. Ascites with multiple adhesions in the peritoneum was observed in 4 cases, and peritoneal thickening and adhesions of the viscera without ascites were observed in only 3 cases. Tuberculous peritonitis was found to be associated with genital tuberculosis in 3 women, with hepatic tuberculosis in 2 cases, and with renal and hepatic tuberculosis in 1 case. Laparoscopic diagnosis was confirmed by intralaparoscopic biopsy in all cases.