A case of tuberculous peritonitis showing a rapid increase of bilateral pleural effusion

A 62-year-old man had been treated with INH, RFP, EB, and PZA for pulmonary tuberculosis. Six months after completing the treatment, he was admitted because of low grade fever and abdominal distension. His abdominal radiograph and CT showed ascites, which showed elevated ADA. He was diagnosed as tuberculous peritonitis, and treated with INH, RFP, and EB. Three days after starting treatment, the ascites abruptly disappeared, followed by bilateral pleural effusion and pulmonary edema. He was found to develop ARDS. His pleural fluid was removed and treated with steroid pulse therapy. In spite of improvement of dyspnea, general status gradually deteriorated and he died following two months and a half treatment. Ascites causing a marked increase in abdominal pressure in a patient with tuberculosis peritonitis might move into the thoracic cavity with an unknown mechanism, and the removal of ascites might be needed to prevent this phenomenon.     

Tuberculous peritonitis

We report a case of tuberculous peritonitis in a 24-year-old male patient. On admission, he was complaining of abdominal fullness and fever. Ultrasound tomography and computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen showed massive ascites with multiple septa. The most interesting feature of this case was the diffuse and intense uptake of gallium-67 in the abdomen. Though the initial chest X-ray showed only slight bilateral pleural effusion, and cultures from ascites, stool, sputum, and pleural effusion were negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, CT scan of the lung showed a small consolidation shadow with contractile change, similar to tuberculosis. A few days after the CT scan of the lung, the sputum was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Finally we diagnosed active tuberculous peritonitis, and then started antituberculous therapy. In patients with massive ascites and fever of unknown origin, tuberculous peritonitis must be considered. Gallium-67 scintigraphy has been shown to be useful when there is a high index of suspicion of tuberculous peritonitis.     

The value of ADA in peritoneal tuberculosis]

The aim of this study was to confirm that ascitic fluid determination of adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) is useful for the diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis. 109 patients with ascites have been studied; 4 had tuberculous peritonitis and 105 nontuberculous ascites. The mean value of ascitic fluid AQDA was 0.587 +/- 0.2 uKat/l in tuberculous peritonitis and 0.11 +/- 0.1 uKat/l in nontuberculous ascites (p less than 0.001). An ADA value upper than 0.40 uKat/l has a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 99% for diagnosing tuberculous peritonitis. Ascitic fluid determination of ADA is simple, cheap and has a good diagnostic accuracy. In countries with high incidence of tuberculosis, measurement of ADA in ascitic fluid should be used as screening test for tuberculosis.     

欠发达地区结核性腹膜炎40例

目的:总结结核性腹膜炎(tuberculous peritonitis,TBP)临床特点,进一步提高临床医生对TBP的认识水平.方法:收集40例TBP患者的病例资料,对其发病情况、临床表现、实验室和辅助检查、诊疗经过等方面进行回顾性分析并复习文献.结果:本组TBP患者年龄以20-40岁为高发(57.5%),仅22.5%的病例既往有结核病史或慢性疾病史.发病以慢性起病多见(85.0%),症状以腹胀(85.0%)、食欲减退(67.5%)、发热(52.5%)、腹痛(47.5%)常见.体征以腹水(67.5%)、腹痛(65.0%)多见,腹壁柔韧感少见(35.0%).血清学检查特异性低,腹水多呈渗出液的特点,但腹水ADA>33U/L,单核细胞占优势等有助于诊断TBP的特点较少见(16.0%-34.0%).腹水抗酸杆菌涂片和结核菌培养阳性率低(4.75%,0%).PPD实验和胸部X线的阳性率均为37.5%.CT和B超检查多数表现为腹水、腹膜增厚、粘连等(78%),女性患者子宫、附件受累常见(72.7%).本组TBP患者误诊5例,误诊率为12.5%,最常见是误诊为妇科肿瘤(n=3).仅4例患者(10%)获病原学或病理确诊,其余90%依靠试验性抗结核治疗获得诊断.结论:在欠发达地区,目前依靠腹腔镜、B超引导下活检等手段获得病理标本,确诊TBP的比例仍很低.绝大部分TBP病例诊断主要依靠试验性抗结核治疗及对疗效的动态观察.临床医生能够怀疑到TBP的可能并积极试验性抗结核治疗是TBP诊断的关键.对2wk试验性抗结核治疗效果不好的病例,要动员患者接受更积极的腹腔镜检查,以免贻误病情.     

Ascites Adenosine Deaminase Activity is Decreased in Tuberculous Ascites with Low Protein Content

The value of adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) in ascitic fluid was examined in 12 patients with confirmed peritoneal tuberculosis and compared with that of 96 patients with ascites of other different etiologies as an age-matched control group, to determine the diagnostic value of the ADA activity in tuberculous ascites. The mean adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) value in ascitic fluid of the tuberculous peritonitis group was 47.9 +/- 21.9 IU/L and in the control group 9.6 +/- 5 U/L (mean +/- SD); p less than 0.01. A different method than that usually reported in tuberculous peritonitis was used for ascites ADA estimation. The best sensitivity and specificity was obtained when greater than 32 U/L was used as a cutoff point. The ascites ADA activity correlated with the ascites total protein concentration in the tuberculosis group (r = 0.842). Our findings confirm other results and support the ADA activity determination in ascitic fluid as a useful noninvasive screening test in the diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis in endemic areas or in high risk patients. However, false-negative results may occur in those patients in which ascites total protein concentration is low.     

A case of tuberculous peritonitis diagnosed by ultrasonography-guide peritoneal biopsy

The diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis is quite difficult because the symptoms are not specific for the disease and the incidence of occurrence are relatively rare. We report a case of tuberculous peritonitis diagnosed by ultrasonography-guided peritoneal biopsy. A 64-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of fever, dyspnea and abdominal pain. Laboratory findings revealed an elevated ESR (53 mm/1 hr.) and positive CRP. The tuberculin skin test was negative. The chest radiograph revealed bilateral pleural effusion. Abdominal ultrasonographic examination and computed tomography showed ascitic fluid, thickening of the mesentery and peritoneum, and inflammatory pseudotumor of the omentum. Ascitic fluid was exudate with a high lymphocyte count and elevated ADA (184 IU/l). Microbiological studies with the fluid were negative. Peritoneal biopsy guided by ultrasonography was performed, and the specimens showed central caseous necrosis surrounded by epitheloid cells and acid-fast bacilli were demonstrated. The size of the pseudotumor, pleural effusion and ascites decreased after antituberculous chemotherapy with corticosteroid was given. Diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis has often been made by laparotomy or laparoscopy. In a case of this kind, percutaneous peritoneal biopsy guided by ultrasonography is safe and useful.     

Multiple myeloma presenting initially with pleural effusion and a unique paraspinal tumor in the thorax

We herein report an extremely rare case of a patient with IgD-lambda positive multiple myeloma presenting with myelomatous pleural effusion and ascites. A 58-year-old man visited our hospital with dyspnea as his initial symptom. His chest radiograph findings on admission revealed a left pleural effusion, and later, bilateral involvement. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest showed a paraspinal tumor with extension from the upper mediastinum to the abdomen. The cytological examination demonstrated myeloma cells in the pleural effusion and ascites, and histologically, in the pleura, an abdominal subcutaneous tumor and bone was observed. The pleural effusion was an exudate and slightly bloody. The ADA was 70 IU/L. Pleural effusion accompanying myeloma or primary pleural myeloma is very rare and, furthermore, the extremely rare findings of both myeloma cells in the ascites (although the ascites was mainly caused by liver cirrhosis) and a high ADA activity in the pleural fluid were also observed in this case.     

Tuberculous peritonitis in children：Report of nine patients and review of the literature

AIM：To present our experience with tuberculous peritonitis treated in our hospital from 2002-2007. METHODS： We reviewed the medical records of 9 children with tuberculous peritonitis. RESULTS： Nine patients （5 boys, 4 girls） of mean age 14.2 years were diagnosed with peritoneal tuberculosis. All patients presented with abdominal distention. Abdominal pain was seen in 55.5% and fever in 44.4% of the patients. Four cases had coexisting pleural effusion and two had pulmonary tuberculosis with parenchymal consolidation. Ultrasonography found ascites with septation in 7 patients. Two patients had only ascites without septation. Ascitic fluid analysis of 8 patients yielded serum-ascite albumin gradients of less than 1.1 gr/dL. Laparoscopy and laparotomy showed that whitish tuberculi were the most common appearance. Adhesions were also seen in three cases. The diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis was confirmed histo-pathologically in 7 patients and microbiologically in two. Two patients had been diagnosed by ascitic fluid diagnostic features and a positive response to antituberculous treatment. All patients completed the antituberculous therapy without any complications. CONCLUSION： Tuberculous peritonitis has to be clinically suspected in all patients with slowly progressive abdominal distension, particularly when it is accompanied by fever and pain. Laparoscopy and peritoneal biopsy are still the most reliable, quick and safe methods for the diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis.     

Case of tuberculous pleurisy with eosinophilic pleural effusion and hematological eosinophilia

A 30-year-old man suffered from a chest-pain on his left side and was also having a low-grade fever though he actually neglected these symptoms for a while. Later, he was referred to our hospital due to the detection of chest abnormal shadows through the mass examination of chest X-ray taken on 18th October, 2005. His chest X-ray showed bilateral pleural effusion and it was confirmed that the right pleural effusion was encapsulated by his chest CT. The patient's hematological examination performed during his initial visit, showed an increased level of WBC with blood eosinophilia. He also had a puncture of pleural effusion at the time of admission to the center. Moreover, pleural effusion on both sides was exudative and elevations of ADA and eosinophil count as well were traced. In the patient's right pleural effusion, mycobacterium tuberculosis direct (MTD) test was positive. As there were no findings suggesting collagen disease, malignancy, parasite infection, and other complications, he was diagnosed as tuberculous pleurisy with eosinophilic pleural effusion and blood eosinophilia. He was treated with four antitubercular agents, namely, INH, RFP, EB and PZA. As the result, his pleural effusion and blood eosinophil counts were decreased along with an improvement in inflammatory reaction. The most common conditions associated with eosinophilic pleural effusion are described as malignancy, collagen disease, paragonimiasis, drug induced pleurisy, asbestosis, pneumothorax, and trauma, while there are only a few reports about such eosinophilic pleural effusion caused by tuberculous pleurisy. In this case, he also showed blood eosinophilia. Based on these findings, we finally came to the conclusion that the case is a very rare and significantly unique case of eosinophilic pleurisy with blood eosinophilia.     

Tuberculous liver abscesses and venous thromboembolism – An unusual association

A rare association of tuberculous liver abscesses with bilateral transudative pleural effusion, ascites and venous thromboembolism in a 22-year-male is reported. While the BACTEC culture and polymerase chain reaction of the aspirate from liver abscess were positive for mycobacterium tuberculosis, all the reports of pleural fluid and ascitic fluid were negative. The bilateral pleural effusion and the ascites may be due to a non-tuberculous cause like hypoalbuminaemia. The finding of venous thromboembolism was incidental.     

A case of tuberculous peritonitis diagnosed by a direct smear of ascitic fluid complicated with an active pulmonary tuberculosis and intestinal tuberculosis

We sometimes encounter difficulties in differentiating tuberculous peritonitis from other inflammatory disorders or ascites due to carcinomatous peritonitis. Acid-fast bacilli are very rarely detected in ascites. In this study, we reported a case of tuberculous peritonitis accompanied with active pulmonary tuberculosis in which acid-fast bacilli were detected in ascites. The patient was a 37-year-old single man who had been admitted to our hospital on February 28, 2000, because acid-fast bacilli were detected in sputum, faces and ascites by a direct smear. He had a lower abdominal distention and pain. His serum CA 125 level was high, 121 U/ml. Abdominal ultrasonography showed marked ascites in Douglas pouch. However adenosine deaminase level was not high in his ascites. During treatment by the combination chemotherapy with INH, RFP, EB, and PZA, serum CA 125 level was decreased.     

An unusual case of a pleural effusion with an abdominal mass

A 38-year-old man presented to us with a left sided pleural effusion. Pleural fluid was aspirated and analysis revealed it to be an exudate with predominant lymphocytes and an elevated ADA level. He was discharged on antituberculous treatment. Patient returned with re-accumulation of pleural fluid. Computed tomography done in our institute picked up not only parenchymal disease in the lung which was not evident on chest radiographs but also picked up an abdominal mass in the left renal fossa. Pathological examination of excised mass revealed its tuberculous nature. The repeated recollection of pleural fluid was attributed to a "paradoxical response"; the patient was reassured and his anti-tuberculous treatment continued. Recognition of the fact that evidence of tuberculosis at distant sites may occasionally be needed to substantiate the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion in a difficult and bacteriologically "negative" case prompted us to report this case.     

结核性与癌性胸腔积液的实验室检测比较研究

目的比较研究实验室检测腺苷脱氨酶(ADA)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、癌胚抗原(CEA)、蛋白(TP)、葡萄糖(GLU)等多项指标对结核性与癌性胸腔积液的鉴别诊断价值。方法对151例明确诊断为结核性或癌性胸腔积液分别测定胸水ADA、LDH、CEA、TP、GLU和血清TP,并进行统计分析。结果结核性胸腔积液中ADA、LDH、TP含量都明显高于癌性胸腔积液,其中胸水ADA以28U/L作为诊断结核性胸水的临界值则其敏感性和特异性均极高,结核性胸水中GLU含量则低于癌性胸水,癌性胸水CEA的阳性率高达76.0%,而结核性胸水CEA均阴性。结论联合检测胸水ADA、LDH、CEA、TP和GLU可以作为结核性与癌性胸腔积液的诊断和鉴别诊断依据,其中ADA28U/L可以考虑作为结核性胸腔积液的单独诊断依据。     

An elderly case with nontuberculous mycobacteria acompanied by unilateral massive pleural effusion following the video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer

We report an elderly case with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Four years after left lung upper lobectomy due to lung cancer by the video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), an 81 year-old patient complained of general fatigue and appetite loss. Although he did not exhibit fever or respiratory tract symptoms, a Chest X ray film revealed unilateral massive pleural effusion in the left lung. NTM (Runyon classification type II) was grown in the sputum culture. Neither mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA nor M. avium-intracellulare complex DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction. The pleural effusion adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was 127.6U/l. NTM was considered as the most probable diagnosis. After admission his condition and appetite improved. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed reduction of left pleural effusion, but another pulmonary nodule lesions were sustained. Although the abnormal findings on chest CT did not totally resolve, we did not prescribe antituberculosis drugs, based on the comprehensive assessment of his NTM disease state. The pathogenesis and diagnosis of HTM in elderly cases was discussed.     

Tuberculous peritonitis in Egypt: the value of laparoscopy in diagnosis.

Abdominal laparoscopy was performed on 200 patients with undiagnosed ascites. It was unsuccessful in one patient with tuberculous peritonitis because of extensive adhesions. A presumptive diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis based on clinical findings and peritoneal tubercles or adhesions visualized during laparoscopy was made in 90 of these patients. The diagnosis was confirmed in 88 by histopathology, bacteriology, or therapeutic response. Two of the 109 remaining patients who had other presumptive diagnoses made during laparoscopy were eventually confirmed to be cases of tuberculous peritonitis. Of 91 patients with tuberculous peritonitis included in this series, 79% were females, with the majority (79%) of them being of child-bearing age. Half had been ill for longer than one month. The most frequent complaints were abdominal pain, fever, anorexia, night sweats, abdominal swelling, and weight loss. Ascites, fever, wasting, pallor, and abdominal tenderness were common findings. Ultrasonography demonstrated ascites in all patients who underwent this procedure; 21% also had adhesions. Pleural effusion was present in 15% and pulmonary tuberculosis was detected in only two patients. Biopsy samples taken during laparoscopy showed that 60% had noncaseous granulomas and 33% had caseous granulomas. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected in 77%, with guinea pig inoculation having the highest sensitivity, followed by culture, and lastly by acid-fast smear. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated more easily from biopsy samples than from ascitic fluid. Nine of 20 M. tuberculosis isolates that were identified as to species were M. bovis. Tuberculous peritonitis, a frequent cause of febrile ascites in Egyptian women, was easily diagnosed by histopathologic and bacteriologic studies of biopsy samples taken at laparoscopy. All patients responded rapidly to antituberculosis therapy.     

A case of tuberculous pericarditis developing constrictive pericarditis

A case of constrictive pericarditis which developed after the onset of clinical manifestation of tuberculous pericarditis was reported. A 75-year-old male, complaining of anorexia, was admitted to our hospital. Adenosinedeaminase (ADA) level in pericardial effusion was found to be increased, and the culture of pericardial effusion was positive for tubercle bacilli. Diagnosed as having tuberculous pleuritis and pericarditis, he underwent chemotherapy for tuberculosis. However, massive pleural effusion developed later and pleural effusion drainage was carried out. Despite repeated drainage, pleural effusion continued to recur. Chest CT revealed apparent pericardial thickening, in addition, cardiac catheterization revealed elevation of mean right atrial pressure and marked deterioration of cardiac functions including decrease of cardiac output. These findings were compatible with constrictive pericarditis. After these investigations a diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis was established, and the patient underwent a pericardiectomy. Pathological examination of resected specimens revealed tuberculous inflammation.     

A case having chyliform pleural effusion caused by former tuberculous pleurisy

A 49-year-old male who had been treated for pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous pleurisy in 2007 was referred to our hospital with the complaint of dyspnea on exertion in Nov. 2009. Chest X-ray showed increased pleural effusion compared with that remaining after the previous treatment of pleurisy in 2008. A chest CT revealed that fluid collection was surrounded by thickened pleura. Thoracocentesis was performed, and yellow milky liquid was obtained. The pleural effusion contained few cells. The triglyceride concentration was 83 mg/dl, and the cholesterol level was very high at 628 mg/dl. Based on these findings we diagnosed this case as chyliform pleural effusion. Both smear of acid-fast bacilli and PCR-TB test of the pleural effusion were positive, but culture was negative for mycobacterium, suggesting that this chyliform pleural effusion was produced by the former episode of tuberculous pleurisy, not by the recent reactivation of tuberculous pleurisy. The ADA concentration in the pleural effusion was high at 91.7 IU/l. No increase in the amount of pleural effusion was observed after thoracocentesis without any anti-tuberculosis therapy.     

Tuberculous peritonitis--reports of 26 cases, detailing diagnostic and therapeutic problems

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical presentation, biochemical (ascites and serum) and laparoscopic findings, and to assess the efficacy of triple antituberculous therapy without rifampicin for 6 months in patients with tuberculous peritonitis. METHODS: Twenty-six tuberculous peritonitis patients (11 male, 15 female) with a mean age of 34.8 +/- 3.4 years (range 14-77) were assessed with regard to diagnostic and therapeutic features. RESULTS: The most common symptoms and signs were abdominal pain (92.3%) and ascites (96.2%), respectively. Tuberculin skin test (TST) was positive in all patients. An abnormal chest radiography suggestive of previous tuberculosis was present in five patients (19.2%), and two patients (7.7%) had extra-peritoneal (cerebral, pericardial) active tuberculous involvement. In 24 of the 25 patients who underwent laparoscopy with directed biopsy, whitish nodules suggested tuberculous peritonitis; 76% of the biopsy specimens revealed caseating, 20% non-caseating granulomatous inflammation, and 4% non-specific findings. The ascitic fluid of one patient (3.8%) was positive for acid-resistant bacilli, and culture was positive in two patients (7.7%). Twenty-four of the patients were treated for 6 months with isoniazid, streptomycin (total dose 40 g) and pyrazinamide (for the first 2 months and then substituted with ethambutol). Eighteen patients also received methyl prednisolone, initially 20 mg/day, for 1 month. The follow-up period was 19 +/- 1.7 months after the end of therapy (range 6-36). Ascites and abdominal pain abated earlier in patients on steroid therapy. All but two of the 24 patients responded to treatment. CONCLUSION: Non-invasive tests such as acid-fast stain and culture of the ascitic fluid are usually insufficient, hence invasive laparoscopy and peritoneal biopsy are necessary for the diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis if non-invasive tests such as ascites adenosine deaminase activity measurement are not easily available. Triple therapy without rifampicin for 6 months is sufficient to treat tuberculous peritonitis.     

CT平扫对结核性腹膜炎的诊断价值

目的 探讨结核性腹膜炎的CT平扫表现特征。方法 回顾性分析46例有CT扫描资料的结核性腹膜炎患者,其中经手术病理证实6例,腹腔穿刺证实2例,腹腔镜检证实4例,试验性治疗诊断34例。观察内容包括结核性腹膜炎累及壁腹膜、大网膜、肠系膜及腹膜后间隙的CT表现特征。结果 （1）壁腹膜增厚33例,其中均匀、光滑增厚27例,局部不规则增厚6例;（2）腹腔积液31例,其中20例为少量积液;（3）大网膜增厚26例,表现为污迹样增厚22例,饼状增厚2例;（4）肠系膜受累32例,其中9例合并小结节影：（5）淋巴结增大16例;（6）肠壁增厚1例,肠间距增宽2例。结论 结核性腹膜炎CT平扫的主要表现有少量腹腔积液、均匀性腹膜增厚、大网膜污迹样增厚,以及肠系膜、肠管受累与腹腔淋巴结增大,CT平扫能为结核性腹膜炎的诊断提供重要信息。     

血清-腹水白蛋白梯度和腹水ADA、CA125在结核性腹膜炎诊治中的临床价值

[目的]探讨血清-腹水白蛋白梯度(SAAG)和腹水腺苷脱氨酶(ADA)、CA125对结核性腹膜炎的临床诊断价值。[方法]选取132例腹水患者进行回顾性分析,并将其分为4组:单纯性结核性腹膜炎组(A组)75例,肝硬化合并结核性腹膜炎组(B组)14例,肝硬化组(C组)17例,其他原因腹水组(D组)26例。对所有患者同一天的血清白蛋白及腹水白蛋白浓度进行检测,计算出SAAG;并测定腹水中的ADA、CA125浓度。[结果]以SAAG11g/L为临界值,诊断结核性腹膜炎的敏感度为96.6%(86/89)、特异性为74.4%(32/43)、准确率为89.4%(118/132),A、B组SAAG浓度显著低于C、D组(P0.05),A、B组间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);以ADA40U/L为临界值,诊断结核性腹膜炎的敏感性为92.1%(82/89)、特异性为97.7%(42/43)、准确率为93.9%(124/132),A、B组腹水ADA浓度与C、D组比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),A、B组间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),A、B组抗结核治疗前后腹水ADA浓度比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05);以CA12535U/ml为临界值,诊断结核性腹膜炎的敏感性为100%(89/89)、特异性为34.9%(15/43)、准确性为78.8%(104/132),各组腹水CA125浓度比较均差异无统计学意义(P0.05),A、B组抗结核治疗前后腹水CA125浓度比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。[结论]腹水ADA诊断结核性腹膜炎的敏感性、特异性、准确性均较高,并可作为判断结核性腹膜炎抗结核治疗疗效的观察指标;SAAG诊断结核性腹膜炎的敏感性较高,但特异性较低;腹水CA125对结核性腹膜炎无诊断价值,但可作为治疗疗效追踪的观察指标。