FEVER OF OBSCURE ORIGIN-THE VALUE OF ABDOMINAL EXPLORATION IN DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

A study of the diagnostic value of laparotomy was made in 70 patients with febrile states that had lasted longer than two weeks and had been explained by repeated thorough physical and laboratory examinations. In 21 patients exploration of the abdominal cavity revealed malignant disease, and in 10 of these the lesion was a lymphoblastoma. In 15 patients evidence of specific infections was found, and in 5 of these it was tuberculous peritonitis. The surgical intervention entailed little risk. Its dagnostic value in cases of fever of obscure origin was evident.