Chylous ascites associated with primary pulmonary hypertension: A case report and literature review

Ammar Khan¹, Abdo Qaid Lutf², Ahmed Mahmoud Mostafa³

Keywords: Chylous ascites, Diuretics, Pulmonary hypertension, Right ventricular failure

DOI: 10.32677/yjm.v2i2.3664

DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.32677/yjm.v2i2.3664

Publish Date: 28-09-2023

Pages: 105 - 107

Views: 2

Downloads: 4

Author Affiliation:

¹Medical Student, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, 
²Senior Consultant, Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Division, Alkhor Hospital, Alkhor, 
³Consultant, Department of Family Medicine, Al Rayyan Health Center, Doha, Qatar

Abstract

Chylous ascites is a rare condition that results from the accumulation of lymph in the abdominal cavity through a variety of mechanisms. We hereby report a case of chylous ascites in a 67-year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital with abdominal distension, bilateral lower extremity edema, and shortness of breath on exertion. The patient had a long history of primary pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale, and diabetes mellitus. Imaging studies revealed massive peritoneal fluid, which, after drainage, was found to be consistent with chylous ascites. The patient received high doses of diuretics with a marked improvement in symptoms over the following days. There was no reaccumulation of ascites by the time of discharge. To the best of our knowledge, there are few cases in the literature where chylous ascites has been reported in association with primary pulmonary hypertension.