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Discriminating Tuberculous Peritonitis and Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

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Tuberculosis of the Gastrointestinal system

Abstract

Peritoneal tuberculosis is the most common form of abdominal TB and has varied manifestations. It could present with or without ascites. The clinical symptoms and the imaging findings closely mimic peritoneal carcinomatosis, which is one of the closest differential diagnoses, especially in females and elderly. It can be challenging to distinguish the two clinically as both could have indolent onset and gradual progression of ascites or may present with nonspecific signs and symptoms. They share overlapping features on laboratory evaluation and imaging, although adenosine deaminase and cytology usually provide good discriminatory value in diagnosis. Laparoscopy with histological evaluation provides the best diagnostic yield and is considered the modality of choice for diagnosis of both. Differentiation between the two entities is an integral part of management. Advent of effective anti-tubercular therapy for peritoneal tuberculosis and specialized therapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis has improved prognosis, necessitating rapid and focused evaluation of the disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India

    Anuraag Jena, Daya Krishna Jha & Vishal Sharma

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  1. Anuraag Jena
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  2. Daya Krishna Jha
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  3. Vishal Sharma
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India

    Vishal Sharma

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Jena, A., Jha, D.K., Sharma, V. (2022). Discriminating Tuberculous Peritonitis and Peritoneal Carcinomatosis. In: Sharma, V. (eds) Tuberculosis of the Gastrointestinal system. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9053-2_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9053-2_11

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