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. 2021 Nov:88:106495.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.106495. Epub 2021 Oct 12.

Peritoneal tuberculosis mimicking advanced ovarian cancer case report: Laparoscopy as diagnostic modality

Sigit Purbadi  1 , Junita Indarti  2 , Hariyono Winarto  3 , Andi Darma Putra  3 , Kartiwa Hadi Nuryanto  3 , Tofan Widya Utami  3 , Gilbert Elia Sotarduga  3
Affiliations

Peritoneal tuberculosis mimicking advanced ovarian cancer case report: Laparoscopy as diagnostic modality

Sigit Purbadi et al. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Peritoneal Tuberculosis is one of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that occurs in 1-2% of patients, its incidence is higher in developing countries. It is very difficult to diagnosed and can mimic advanced ovarian cases. Making an accurate diagnosis is vital, laparoscopy is a great modality for this purpose.

Case presentation: A 36 years-old woman got referred with abdominal distention and weight loss from an internist and digestive surgeon. The abdominal computed tomography said thickening of the stomach wall with ascites. Ultrasound concluded the uterus, ovary, and endometrium within normal. The CA 125 levels elevated to 1200 U/mL and the complete blood count was normal. We were making diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis, peritoneal carcinomatosis, and advanced ovarian cancer. We did the diagnostic laparoscopic and taking a biopsy sample, ascites with peritoneal carcinomatosis and omental cake were found, the peritoneal cavity was covered by miliary nodules. Histopathology results concluded peritoneal tuberculosis without malignancy signs. The patient was treated with tuberculosis drugs. The follow-up evaluations show significant clinical improvement.

Clinical discussion: When facing patients with massive ascites and elevated CA 125 without any ovary enlargement, a gynecologist should think that it may be a peritoneal TB case with peritoneal carcinomatosis and advance ovarian cancer possibility as differential diagnosis especially in developing countries. An exact diagnosis can be made using laparoscopy and histopathology examination.

Conclusion: Laparoscopy is the best modality to differentiate between peritoneal tuberculosis, peritoneal carcinomatosis, and advance ovarian cancer. The benefits are direct visualization and could take a biopsy for histology examination.

Keywords: Advanced ovarian cancer; Laparoscopy; Peritoneal tuberculosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that we have no financial or personal relationship that may have inappropriately influenced us in writing this article.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Abdominal CT-scan showed thickening of stomach wall with widely loculated ascites.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Laparoscopic view showed ascites with peritoneal nodules.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Differential diagnosis table.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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