Nephrogenic Ascites: A Case Series With Review of Literature

Nephrogenic ascites, or ascites associated with renal failure, is most commonly observed in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis, though it can occur less frequently in earlier stages of renal failure. While its exact cause is likely multifactorial, several contributing mechanisms are commonly recognized. These include delayed diagnosis of chronic kidney disease, reduced peritoneal lymphatic reabsorption, malnutrition, increased permeability of the peritoneal membrane, and the effects of dialysis and ultrafiltration in uremia. Nephrogenic ascites typically affects cachectic, under-dialyzed, and malnourished patients and carries a poor long-term prognosis. This paper presents a series of eight cases involving patients with refractory ascites subsequently diagnosed as being of renal origin and provides a review of this condition.