A case of a dialysis patient with sclerosing peritonitis initially suspected of tuberculous peritonitis / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Sclerosing peritonitis (SCP) is a syndrome of multiple causes that is characterized by the thickening of peritoneal membrane and subsequent ultrafiltration failure and intestinal obstruction. We report a case of sclerosing peritonitis initially suspected of tuberculous peritonitis in a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis. A 35-year-old man presented with recurrent exudative ascites of unknown origin. He had been switched from peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis because of recurrent peritonitis 6 months ago. Laparoscopic peritoneal biopsy revealed excessive formation of capillaries and monocyte infiltration without evidence of tuberculosis. He was discharged without further treatment. Four months later, he was readmitted with intestinal obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy revealed that the whole small intestine was encased in a thick and fibrous peritoneal capsule. Pathologic examination of peritoneal membrane showed absence of mesothelium and extensive proliferation of fibroconnective tissue, which was compatible with sclerosing peritonitis.