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Abstract
ABSTRACT:
INTRODUCTION
Chyloascites or chyloperitoneum, which can be caused by different factors, is a process of eruption of one or many lymphatic
vessels spontaneously. Malignant processes, inflammation or trauma can cause a sudden burst in a lymphatic vessel which will
lead to a collection of milky fluid in any space of the human body with the abdominal cavity being the most common location.
Chyloperitoneum is rare during pregnancy and this case is the fifth described worldwide.
CASE PRESENTATION
We describe a case of chyloascitis in a 27-year-old primigravida Middle Eastern woman, found coincidentally during cesarean
section. Free fluid was found in the abdominal cavity with no source of trauma or masses. An abdominal drain remained in situ
for six days. The milky fluid was sent for biochemical analysis and found to be positive for triglycerides. Her postoperative
course was uneventful. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis was negative for fluid collection, tumors or other
lesions. While this is the fifth case of chylous ascitis associated with pregnancy, it is the second found to be spontaneous
with no obvious cause described to date.
CONCLUSION
Chylous ascitis is not always associated with tumors, inflammation or trauma. It can, although rarely, be associated with
pregnancy. The course of pregnancy is usually uncomplicated in the cases published to date. This fifth case serves as a reminder
for obstetricians, when presented with similar findings, to consider chylous ascitis as one of the differential diagnoses.
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is vital for improved outcomes for the mother and the fetus.
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Authors
Institution
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, MBC-52, PO Box 3354, Riyadh 11211, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. aabinasa@yahoo.com.
Source
Journal of medical case reports 6:1 2012 pg 187Pub Type(s)
Journal ArticleLanguage
eng
PubMed ID
22762446