Role of Coelioscopy in the Etiologic Diagnosis of Exudative Ascites of Unknown Origin of the Women

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to clarify the role of laparoscopy in the etiological diagnosis of exudative ascites of unknown origin in women. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study from 2007 to 2012, including 83 women with exudative ascites of unknown origin and had a laparoscopy diagnostic purpose. Results: Carcinomatosis and peritoneal tuberculosis were the two most common causes found in 31% (26 cases) and 66% (55 cases) of cases respectively. The average age of the patients was 56 years. Weight loss and abdominal pain were the most frequent, observed symptoms in 71 cases (85.5%) and 53 cases (63.8%) respectively. The CT scan abnormalities noted were a peritoneal thickening in 32 cases (38.5%), peritoneal nodules in 15 cases (18%), and agglutination of the digestive handles in 12 cases (14.4%). Laparoscopic Visual diagnosis was in favor of a peritoneal carcinomatosis in 32 cases (38.5%), peritoneal tuberculosis in 45 cases (54.2%), and non specific infection in 6 cases (7.3%). The histological diagnosis was a peritoneal carcinomatosis in 26 cases (31%), and peritoneal tuberculosis in 55 cases (66%). The positive predictive value of laparoscopic vision Diagnostics in Peritoneal tuberculosis was 100% and the negative predictive value was 73.7%. In peritoneal carcinomatosis, the positive predictive value was 81.3% and the negative predictive value was 100%. Conclusion: The etiologic diagnosis of exudative ascites in women is difficult despite the availability of several tests. Currently, laparoscopy with peritoneal biopsy remains the gold standard for etiologic diagnosis.