[What does laparoscopy contribute to explaining fever of unknown origin?].

The diagnostic value of laparoscopy with biopsy under vision was analysed retrospectively in 70 patients with persisting or recurrent fever of at least six weeks' duration which had remained unexplained despite detailed noninvasive studies. In 42 of these patients an intra-abdominal process had been suspected. The cause of fever was directly or indirectly diagnosed by the laparoscopy in 31 patients (44%), 29 of whom had clinical findings or abnormal biochemical results pointing to an involvement of abdominal organs. The most common laparoscopic diagnosis was granulomatous disease, isolated liver disease or malignant lymphoma. If clinical signs pointing to abdominal involvement are absent, laparoscopy is unlikely to aid in the diagnosis of fever of unknown origin.