आईएसएसएन: 2167-0870
Xinyu Liu1, Chunna Liu2*
Background: Chylous ascites refers to accumulation of milk-like peritoneal fluid rich in triglycerides in the abdominal cavity and is a rare presentation. The remaining causes of chylous ascites include lymphatic malformation, cirrhosis, tuberculosis, and malignancy.
Case Presentation: A 68-year-old man presented to our geriatric department with abdominal distention and edema of both lower limbs. The abdominal ultra-sound showed high volume ascites and the diagnostic paracentesis revealed milk-like peritoneal fluid rich in triglycerides. Upper digestive endoscopy was performed and revealed poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma on biopsy. The patient was transferred to oncology department and died 2 weeks later.
Conclusion: Chylous ascites may be the earliest manifestation of poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma, even if not accompanied by other symptoms of malignancy.