Chylous ascites is rare and results in accumulation of lymph in the abdominal cavity, due to several mechanisms. The ascitic liquid is milky because of the high concentration of triglycerides (>200 mg/dl). The higher incidence compared to the past is explained by increased survival of patients with cancer and more aggressive surgery. We describe the case of an 87-year-old man admitted to the geriatric ward due to general oedema, chylous ascites and loss of weight, explained by mantle cell lymphoma. LEARNING POINTS • Chylous ascites is more frequent in trauma, but in some cases may be related to obstruction of the thoracic duct by retroperitoneal fibrosis, pancreatitis or neoplasms. • It is a progressive, difficult to manage condition, with a spectrum of treatment ranging from a special diet to surgery. • Its prognosis depends fundamentally on the predisposing condition.
CITATION STYLE
Fernandes, R., Leite, M., Cochicho, J., Veríssimo, R., & Oliveira, A. (2018). Chylous ascites due to mantle cell lymphoma. European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine, 5(6). https://doi.org/10.12890/2018_000871
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