CT Differentiation of Female Peritoneal Tuberculosis and Peritoneal Carcinomatosis From Normal-Sized Ovarian Cancer

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the computed tomography (CT) features of female peritoneal tuberculosis and peritoneal carcinomatosis from normal-sized ovarian cancer for their differentiation. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the CT features of 18 female peritoneal tuberculosis and 17 peritoneal carcinomatosis with proven normal-sized ovarian carcinomas. Omental change, mesenteric change, parietal peritoneal thickening, lymph node enlargement, ascites, ovarian CT attenuation, and ovarian capsular change were analyzed. Results: Heterogeneous parenchymal hyperattenuation and capsular change of the ovary were more frequently seen in cases of peritoneal carcinomatosis than in cases of female peritoneal tuberculosis ( P - 0.002, P < 0.001, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in the other CT features. Conclusions: The differentiation of female peritoneal tuberculosis and peritoneal carcinomatosis with normal-sized ovarian cancer by CT may be a diagnostic challenge. Ovarian hyperattenuation and any prominent ovarian capsular change may facilitate the differentiation between these groups.