Endoscopy
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We report 14 patients with tuberculous peritonitis presenting as persistent and exudative ascites. We found a primary site of tuberculous infection in only 10% of the patients. PPD test was positive in 9 patients. ⋯ Four patients had cirrhotic liver disease confirmed by laparoscopy. The biopsy specimen showed caseating granulomata, and the auramine stain was positive in four cases. We conclude that laparoscopy and biopsy is a safe and effective method of obtaining an early diagnosis in patients with tuberculous ascites, especially if they also have cirrhosis.