Successful treatment of refractory chylous ascites due to follicular lymphoma with very low-dose radiotherapy

Refractory chylous ascites revealing follicular lymphoma: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Chylous ascites is an uncommon form of ascites characterized by milky fluid rich in triglycerides. It is associated with poor lymphatic drainage. We report a case of chylous ascites revealing a follicular lymphoma.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 73-year-old man presented with a 6-month history of abdominal distension attributed to a chylous ascitis. The thoraco-abdomino-pelvic CT scan revealed voluminous intra- and retroperitoneal mass inseparable from the duodeno-pancreatic block and encompassing the mesenteric vessels, inferior vena cava and renal vessels; abundant ascites and multiple mediastinal, coeliomesenteric, retroperitoneal, iliac and inguinal adenomegalia. The diagnosis of follicular lymphoma was retained through a radio-guided biopsy of the retroperitoneal mass. The patient had weekly paracentesis and immuno-chemotherapy. The course was unfavorable, marked by infection of the ascites fluid after two cycles of immuno-chemotherapy. Our patient developed severe sepsis and died.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Chylous ascites in conjunction with follicular lymphoma is an exceptional presentation. The pathophysiological mechanism is an impediment to subdiaphragmatic lymphatic drainage caused by external pressure, leading to leakage of dilated subserosal lymphatic ducts into the peritoneal cavity. Histological confirmation is fundamental to manage chylous ascites resulting from lymphomas.

CONCLUSION

Chylous ascites revealing lymphoma is a unique condition. The key to management is the treatment of the underlying etiology.

Chylous Ascites Related to Radiotherapy in a Patient With Gastric Cancer

Chylous ascites is an uncommon complication seen in patients who have received radiotherapy to the abdomen. However, the morbidity caused by peritoneal ascites makes this an important complication to be considered when giving abdominal radiation to oncology patients. We present the case of a 58-year-old woman with gastric adenocarcinoma, who consulted for recurrent ascites after receiving abdominal radiotherapy as an adjuvant treatment to surgery. Different tests were carried out to evaluate the cause. Malignant abdominal relapse and infection were ruled out. Paracentesis evidenced swallowed fluid, therefore, the possibility of chylous ascites due to radiotherapy was considered. Intrathoracic, abdominal, and pelvic lymphangiography was performed with Lipiodol and the absence of cisterna chyli was confirmed as the cause of refractory ascites. After the diagnosis, the patient went under aggressive in-hospital nutritional support treatment, with clinico-radiological response.

Chylothorax and chylous ascites: Overview, management, and nutrition

Chyle leaks of any source or type can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Attention to the anatomy and physiology of the leak, followed by stepwise dietary and pharmacologic management, obviates the need for surgical intervention in a majority of patients. In this article, we review the importance, etiology, anatomy, diagnosis, nutrition and immunologic effects, and options for treatment of chylothorax and chylous ascites based on experience and prior literature. We propose a multidisciplinary approach to optimize these treatments including the primary surgical teams, pharmacists, and dietitians, with reoperation as a last resort to minimize the morbidity of this challenging complication.

Rapid Onset Chylous Ascites Presenting as the Initial Manifestation of Follicular Lymphoma: A Case Report

Follicular lymphoma is the most common indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) with overall survival measured in years for the majority of patients (NHL carries a somewhat positive prognosis). Baseline clinical genetic characteristics appear to be the best predictors of the clinical course. A few cases appear to be familial; however, no consistent environmental or infectious causation has been identified. Our presenting patient has a case of follicular lymphoma that was initially diagnosed in the setting of rapid onset chylous ascites, a highly atypical and rare presentation. Follicular lymphoma typically presents with painless lymphadenopathy in lymph nodes along the torso. The lymphoma cells divide within the nodes and can be palpated as bumps within the axilla or on the neck above the clavicle. Various prognostic indicators and tumor grading can give providers a sense of survival statistics. Once diagnosed, chemotherapy tends to form the backbone of most treatment regimens with various roles for immunotherapy and radiation.