BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuPeritonitisAcute abdomen; Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; SBP; Cirrhosis - spontaneous peritonitisPeritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum. This is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the abdominal organs. Causes Peritonitis is caused by a collection of blood, body fluids, or pus in the belly (abdomen).AbdomenAn abdominal abscess is a pocket of infected fluid and pus located inside the belly (abdominal cavity). This type of abscess can be located near or ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article One type is called spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). It occurs in people with ascites. Ascites is the buildup of fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and the organs. This problem is found in people with long-term liver damage, certain cancers, and heart failure.Spontaneous bacterial peritonitisThe peritoneum is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the organs in the abdomen. Peritonitis is present when...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article AscitesAscites is the build-up of fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal organs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Peritonitis may be a result of other problems. This is known as secondary peritonitis. Problems that may lead to this type of peritonitis include:Secondary peritonitisThe peritoneum is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the organs in the abdomen. Peritonitis is present when...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Trauma or wounds to the belly Ruptured appendix Ruptured diverticula Ruptured diverticulaDiverticula are small, bulging sacs or pouches that form on the inner wall of the intestine. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches become inflame...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infection after any surgery in the belly Symptoms Your belly is very painful or tender. The pain may become worse when your belly is touched or when you move.Your belly may look or feel bloated. This is called abdominal distention.Abdominal distentionAbdominal bloating is a condition in which the belly (abdomen) feels full and tight. Your belly may look swollen (distended).Read Article Now Book Mark Article Other symptoms may include:Fever and chills Passing little or no stools or gas Excessive fatigue Passing less urine Passing less urineDecreased urine output means that you produce less urine than normal. Most adults make at least 500 milliliters of urine in 24 hours (a little over ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea and vomiting Racing heartbeat Shortness of breath Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. The abdomen is usually tender. It may feel firm or board-like. People with peritonitis usually curl up or refuse to let anyone touch the area.Blood tests, x-rays, and CT scans may be done. If there is a lot of fluid in the belly area, your provider may use a needle to remove some and send it for testing.CT scansA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment The cause must be identified and treated right away. Treatment typically involves surgery, antibiotics, or both. Possible Complications Peritonitis can be life threatening and may cause complications. These depend on the type of peritonitis. When to Contact a Medical Professional Go to the emergency room or call 911 or the local emergency number if you have symptoms of peritonitis.Open ReferencesReferencesBush LM, Levison ME. Peritonitis and intraperitoneal abscesses. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 74.Kuemmerle JF. Inflammatory and anatomic diseases of the intestine, peritoneum, mesentery, and omentum. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 128.AllVideoImagesTogPeritoneal sample - illustration The peritoneum is the membrane lining the abdominal cavity.Peritoneal sampleillustrationAbdominal organs - illustration The stomach and intestines are the main organs of digestion, converting and breaking down food into substances which are either absorbed by or excreted from the body. Abdominal organsillustrationPeritoneal sample - illustration The peritoneum is the membrane lining the abdominal cavity.Peritoneal sampleillustrationAbdominal organs - illustration The stomach and intestines are the main organs of digestion, converting and breaking down food into substances which are either absorbed by or excreted from the body. Abdominal organsillustrationRelated Information Peritonitis - spontaneous bacterial(Condition)Peritonitis - secondary(Condition)Abscess - abdomen or pelvis(Condition)Appendicitis(Condition) Review Date: 3/31/2024 Reviewed By: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery Practice Specializing in Breast Cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 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PeritonitisAcute abdomen; Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; SBP; Cirrhosis - spontaneous peritonitisPeritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum. This is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the abdominal organs. Causes Peritonitis is caused by a collection of blood, body fluids, or pus in the belly (abdomen).AbdomenAn abdominal abscess is a pocket of infected fluid and pus located inside the belly (abdominal cavity). This type of abscess can be located near or ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article One type is called spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). It occurs in people with ascites. Ascites is the buildup of fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and the organs. This problem is found in people with long-term liver damage, certain cancers, and heart failure.Spontaneous bacterial peritonitisThe peritoneum is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the organs in the abdomen. Peritonitis is present when...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article AscitesAscites is the build-up of fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal organs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Peritonitis may be a result of other problems. This is known as secondary peritonitis. Problems that may lead to this type of peritonitis include:Secondary peritonitisThe peritoneum is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the organs in the abdomen. Peritonitis is present when...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Trauma or wounds to the belly Ruptured appendix Ruptured diverticula Ruptured diverticulaDiverticula are small, bulging sacs or pouches that form on the inner wall of the intestine. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches become inflame...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infection after any surgery in the belly Symptoms Your belly is very painful or tender. The pain may become worse when your belly is touched or when you move.Your belly may look or feel bloated. This is called abdominal distention.Abdominal distentionAbdominal bloating is a condition in which the belly (abdomen) feels full and tight. Your belly may look swollen (distended).Read Article Now Book Mark Article Other symptoms may include:Fever and chills Passing little or no stools or gas Excessive fatigue Passing less urine Passing less urineDecreased urine output means that you produce less urine than normal. Most adults make at least 500 milliliters of urine in 24 hours (a little over ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea and vomiting Racing heartbeat Shortness of breath Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. The abdomen is usually tender. It may feel firm or board-like. People with peritonitis usually curl up or refuse to let anyone touch the area.Blood tests, x-rays, and CT scans may be done. If there is a lot of fluid in the belly area, your provider may use a needle to remove some and send it for testing.CT scansA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment The cause must be identified and treated right away. Treatment typically involves surgery, antibiotics, or both. Possible Complications Peritonitis can be life threatening and may cause complications. These depend on the type of peritonitis. When to Contact a Medical Professional Go to the emergency room or call 911 or the local emergency number if you have symptoms of peritonitis.Open ReferencesReferencesBush LM, Levison ME. Peritonitis and intraperitoneal abscesses. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 74.Kuemmerle JF. Inflammatory and anatomic diseases of the intestine, peritoneum, mesentery, and omentum. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 128.