Peritonitis classification

Peritonitis Main Page
Patient Information
Overview
Causes
Classification Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Secondary Peritonitis
Differential Diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

Overview

Peritonitis may be classified according to the cause into 3 subtypes: spontaneous, secondary, and dialysis-associated peritonitis.

Classification

There are three specific types of peritonitis:

• Spontaneous peritonitis: Spontaneous peritonitis is usually caused by ascites, a collection of fluid in theperitoneal cavity. This usually occurs from liver or kidney failure.
• Secondary peritonitis: Secondary peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the tissue lining the abdominal cavity. Secondary means it is due to another condition, most commonly the spread of an infection from the digestive tract.
• Dialysis associated peritonitis: Dialysis-associated peritonitis is inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), which occurs in those who receive peritoneal dialysis.