Female Peritoneal Tuberculosis with Ascites, Pelvic Mass, or Elevated CA 125 Mimicking Advanced Ovarian Cancer: A Retrospective Study of 26 Cases

This study aimed to summarise the clinical experience of peritoneal tuberculosis (TB). Clinical data of 26 patients admitted and diagnosed with peritoneal TB mimicking advanced ovarian cancer or peritoneal carcinoma between June 2008 and June 2017, was evaluated. The mean age was 35.92 ±15.30 years. The most common findings were abdominal mass (n=21, 80.77%) and elevated CA 125 levels (n=19, 73.08%). One patient underwent PET-CT and was diagnosed with peritoneal TB. Laparotomy was performed in 14 patients (70%) and laparoscopy in six patients (30%), out of whom two patients were converted to laparotomy due to severe adhesions. Meanwhile, mass puncture biopsy or small incision biopsy was the preferred method for diagnosing peritoneal TB, while PET-CT was considered as a good diagnostic method.