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Acute chylous ascites mimicking acute appendicitis in a patient with pancreatitis

Emily K Smith1, Edmund Ek, Daniel Croagh

  • 1Department of Surgery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, c/o St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia. emily.smith@svhm.org.au

World Journal of Gastroenterology
|October 14, 2009
PubMed

Insights

A rare case of acute chylous peritonitis, mimicking appendicitis, occurred in a patient with pancreatitis. This condition, characterized by milky fluid in the abdomen, is infrequently linked to pancreatic inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Surgical Case Reports

Background:

  • Acute chylous peritonitis is a rare condition characterized by the accumulation of chyle in the peritoneal cavity.
  • Pancreatitis, encompassing both acute and chronic forms, is an uncommon etiology for acute chylous ascites and peritonitis.

Observation:

  • A male patient presented with symptoms suggestive of acute appendicitis.
  • Diagnostic workup revealed acute chylous ascites and peritonitis in the context of acute-on-chronic pancreatitis.

Findings:

  • The patient's presentation mimicked acute appendicitis, highlighting a diagnostic challenge.
  • This case represents the fourth documented instance of acute chylous ascites mimicking acute appendicitis in medical literature.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider pancreatitis as a potential cause of acute chylous ascites presenting as acute abdominal conditions.
  • This case underscores the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach in patients with pancreatitis and acute abdominal symptoms.

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