Chylous ascites and obstructive lymphoedema of the small bowel following abdominal radiotherapy

The case history of a patient who developed chylous ascites following abdominal irradiation for recurrent carcinoma of the colon is presented. Laparotomy revealed generalized radiation damage of the small bowel with a particularly severely affected segment of jejunum, from the serosal surface of which chyle was seen to be leaking. Mesenteric lymphangiography revealed an obstruction to lymphatic drainage in the mesentery. Resection of the worst affected segment of bowel prevented further development of chylous ascites.