Chylous ascites caused by constrictive pericarditis

Chylous ascites is an uncommon clinical entity associated with lymphatic obstruction usually caused by underlying malignancy. The authors describe a patient with chylous ascites caused by constrictive pericarditis in the absence of mechanical lymphatic obstruction. Pathophysiological mechanisms for...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe American journal of gastroenterology Vol. 82; no. 10; p. 1088
Main Authors Savage, M P, Munoz, S J, Herman, W M, Kusiak, V M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.10.1987
Subjects
Chylous Ascites - etiology
Chylous Ascites - pathology
Female
Humans
Liver - pathology
Middle Aged
Pericardiectomy
Pericarditis, Constrictive - complications
Pericarditis, Constrictive - pathology
Pericarditis, Constrictive - surgery
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Summary:Chylous ascites is an uncommon clinical entity associated with lymphatic obstruction usually caused by underlying malignancy. The authors describe a patient with chylous ascites caused by constrictive pericarditis in the absence of mechanical lymphatic obstruction. Pathophysiological mechanisms for the development of chylous ascites in constrictive pericarditis include augmented lymph production and high impedance to lymph drainage caused by central venous hypertension. After pericardiectomy, the patient's ascites and edema resolved. Constrictive pericarditis should be considered a rare but potentially curable cause of chylous ascites.
ISSN:0002-9270