Pseudotumoral peritoneal tuberculosis: about 14 cases

Pseudotumoral peritoneal tuberculosis is uncommon, but its incidence is high in endemic areas. Given the great radioclinical similarity between pseudotumoral peritoneal tuberculosis and ovarian cancer, we conducted a retrospective study in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Military Hospital of Instruction Mohammed V in Rabat, involving 14 cases (n= 14) of pseudotumoral peritoneal tuberculosis in order to illustrate the problem of differential diagnosis. All other extra-pelvic locations were excluded, the average age of our patients was 33.4 years with a maximum of cases in the 16-40 years group: 71% (n=10/14). Common clinical symptoms of this particular form of peritoneal tuberculosis were abdominal pain: 100% (n=14/14) associated with abdominopelvic mass: 71% (n=10/14) and ascites: 64% (n=09/14) mimicking peritoneal carcinosis of ovarian origin, especially since both pathologies progressed in a context of impaired general condition. Diagnosis was based on invasive laparoscopic examinations: 35% (n=05/14) or laparotomy: 57% (n=08/14) with biopsies. Indeed, only histological examination can help to establish definitive Corriger diagnosis, in the majority of cases. Therapeutic management of our patients was based on medical treatment, according to the national tuberculosis control program, and surgical treatment. The use of invasive explorations is often unavoidable before initiating any anti-bacillary treatment. Patients´ outcome under specific treatment is favorable, the prognosis of fertility is engaged in young women.