Nephrogenic ascites: a poorly understood syndrome

Nephrogenic ascites is a condition characterized by the presence of massive ascites in a patient with ESRD. Neither the exact cause nor the pathogenesis of ascites formation is clearly understood. Patients frequently present with hypertension, moderate to massive ascites, minimal extremity edema, cachexia, and a history of dialysis-associated hypotension. The ascitic fluid is typically an exudate. Although treatment options are limited, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, peritoneovenous shunt placement, and renal transplantation appear to be effective in controlling ascites formation. Nephrogenic ascites is associated with a grave prognosis, especially if treatment is not instituted. One patient with nephrogenic ascites is described here.