[Chylous ascites in adults: etiological, therapeutic and prognostic aspects. Apropos of 35 cases]

Abstract

Chylous ascites is a rare disease which often poses difficult problems in diagnosis and management. We reported a series of 35 patients with chylous ascites, seen between 1976 and 1989. Diagnosis of chylous ascites was made on: (1) a milky appearance of ascites; (2) an ascitic concentration of triglycerides higher than in serum and higher than 1.5 mmol/l. Incidence was about 1/8 850 admissions. Cancers (mainly lymphomas and abdominal carcinomas), cirrhosis and retroperitoneal surgery accounted for more than 90 p. cent of cases. In all cases of cancer the tumor was extensive, and the prognosis was poor with a one year mortality rate of 80 p. cent. The two postoperative chylous ascites without cirrhosis were cured, after treatment with medium chain triglycerides in one case, and surgical repair in the other case. Chylous ascites in cirrhosis, spontaneous or after porto-systemic shunt, became refractory in 13 of 15 patients, and the one year mortality rate was high (69%).