Tuberculous peritonitis diagnosed following laparoscopic examination for suspected advanced ovarian cancer

Abstract

Laparoscopy for intra-abdominal exploration and tissue sampling is useful in advanced ovarian cancers, in which it is presumed to be difficult to achieve complete tumour reduction in the initial surgery. This is a report of a case of suspected advanced ovarian cancer in a patient, who underwent laparoscopic screening and was later pathologically diagnosed with tuberculous peritonitis. A woman in her 50s visited her local doctor with constipation. Since imaging showed massive ascites she was referred for further evaluation. We initially suspected advanced ovarian cancer due to the presence of massive ascites and multiple peritoneal nodules. However, histopathological examination indicated that the nodules were tubercles, and the patient was subsequently diagnosed with tuberculous peritonitis. It is important to be aware that tuberculosis peritonitis can be misdiagnosed or mistaken for advanced ovarian cancer. Preoperative diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis is often difficult. Tuberculous peritonitis should be considered if intraoperative findings show diffuse nodular disseminated lesions.