Vasculitic small bowel perforation masquerading as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in a patient with decompensated liver disease

We report on a young patient with decompensated alcohol-induced liver disease (Child-Pugh score C) who presented with clinical, biochemical and radiological evidence suggestive of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. She was however subsequently found to have multiple small bowel perforations, which were diagnosed only at laparotomy. The histology of the bowel showed evidence of vasculitis. This case illustrates two important points. Firstly, even if a patient has all the prerequisites to develop spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, a secondary cause of peritonitis (eg. bowel perforation or intra-abdominal abscess) must always be considered as a differential diagnosis and a repeat ascitic tap is mandatory after 48 h of antibiotic therapy to confirm a decrease in the white cell count. Secondly, it shows the rare co-existence of alcoholic liver disease and vasculitis. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 11:459–461 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins