Chylous ascites

Chylous ascites

In some patients, the ascitic fluid appears milky because of an excess of chylomicrons (triglycerides). Most of these cases are associated with malignancy (usually lymphoma). Other causes include cirrhosis, TB, filariasis, nephrotic syndrome, abdominal trauma (including surgery), constrictive pericarditis, sarcoidosis and congenital lymphatic abnormality . The prognosis is poor unless the underlying condition can be cured. In addition to other measures used to treat ascites, patients should be placed on a fat-free diet with medium-chain triglyceride supplements.