A Case of Tuberculous Peritonitis Mimicking Surgical Abdomen / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

ABSTRACT

Childhood tuberculous peritonitis is difficult to diagnose especially in cases without pulmonary involvement. It may present as mechanical ileus, perforation, simulating acute appendicitis, enterocolitis or intusussception. Early diagnosis in children may be difficult, largely because of variable vague symptoms and nonspecific signs. Surgery has often been required for pathologic confirmation. We have experienced a case of tuberculous peritonitis presenting with abdominal pain, abdominal distension and persistent high fever in a 10-year-old boy who was diagnosed by explo- laparotomy and pathologic confirmation from biopsy specimen from omentum. The patient was treated with antituberculous drugs and recovered uneventfully.