Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma revealed by episodes of recurrent spontaneous peritonitis.

A case of a malignant peritoneal mesothelioma revealed by recurrent episodes of peritonitis is reported. This presentation had never been described. A 54 year-old man presented successive episodes of appendicitis, cholecystitis and sigmoiditis associated with purulent aseptic peritonitis. There were no signs of immunodepression or vasculitis. Initial analysis of peritoneal biopsies showed non specific inflammation. Because of long-term asbestos exposure, these biopsies were reviewed. A diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma was made on subserous infiltration by mesothelioma cells, and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The patient died ten months after the diagnosis of mesothelioma despite chemotherapy (cisplatine+interferon).