Intra-abdominal tuberculous peritonitis

Eur Radiol. 2001;11(7):1263-6. doi: 10.1007/s003300000753.

Abstract

We report the case of a 15-year-old boy suffering from progressive dyspnea on exertion and painful abdominal protrusion. Final diagnosis of intra-abdominal tuberculosis (TB), including lymphadenopathy and abdominal abscess formation, was made following elective laparotomy. This type of disease is a rare manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The imaging findings in unenhanced and contrast-enhanced MRI and laparoscopic images are presented. Differential diagnosis of abdominal abscess formation and other fungal or bacteriological infections, as well as the imaging findings of this type of lesion, are discussed. This case demonstrates that atypical manifestation of TB may remain unrecognized; thus, awareness of this kind of manifestation of tuberculosis may prevent patients from being subjected to inappropriate therapies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Abscess / diagnosis*
  • Adolescent
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Peritonitis, Tuberculous / diagnosis*