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Review
. 2022 Oct-Dec;21(4):305-308.
doi: 10.4103/aam.aam_168_21.

Chylous ascites in a case of henoch-schonlein purpura - A case report and literature review

Pushkar Galam  1 , Joseph Kurian Mundakal  1
Affiliations
Review

Chylous ascites in a case of henoch-schonlein purpura - A case report and literature review

Pushkar Galam et al. Ann Afr Med. 2022 Oct-Dec.

Abstract
in English, French

Chylous ascites is a rare form of ascites characterized by the accumulation of lymph fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a form of vasculitis usually seen in children affecting small vessels. Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of HSP are coming to the forefront as a presenting symptom. The presence of a rash usually succeeds the GI manifestations, making diagnosis difficult and leading to unnecessary surgical interventions. Our case shows a 38-year-old female who presented with an acute abdomen followed by an erythematous rash noticed later on, with radiological investigations suggestive of acute appendicitis. Chylous ascites was found as an incidental finding on diagnostic laparoscopy with a healthy appendix.

Résumé L'ascite chyleuse est une forme rare d'ascite caractérisée par l'accumulation de liquide lymphatique dans la cavité péritonéale. Henoch-Schonlein le purpura (HSP) est une forme de vascularite généralement observée chez les enfants et affectant les petits vaisseaux. Les manifestations gastro-intestinales (GI) de la HSP arrivent au premier plan comme symptôme révélateur. La présence d'une éruption cutanée succède généralement aux manifestations gastro-intestinales, rendant le diagnostic difficile et conduisant à des interventions chirurgicales inutiles. Notre cas montre une femme de 38 ans qui s'est présentée avec un abdomen aigu suivi d'un érythémateux éruption cutanée constatée ultérieurement, avec des investigations radiologiques évocatrices d'une appendicite aiguë. Une ascite chyleuse a été découverte de manière fortuite sur laparoscopie diagnostique avec un appendice sain. Mots-clés: Abdomen aigu, ascite chyleuse, purpura Henoch-Schonlein.

Keywords: Acute abdomen; Henoch-Schonlein purpura; chylous ascites.

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Conflict of interest statement

None

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Necrotic mesenteric lymph nodes
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chylous fluid in peritoneal cavity
Figure 3
Figure 3
Intramural lymphatic leak
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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