[Isolated ascites revealing a hypothyroidism. Study of 2 cases]

Ascites is an uncommon feature of hypothyroidism. We report two patients with hypothyroidism revealed by ascites. Among the 44 myxedema ascites cases found in the literature, there were observed 17 cases of ascites as the first manifestation of hypothyroidism. In this rare presentation of hypothyroidism, diagnosis is often delayed. Biological analysis of ascites usually shows high protein and cholesterol concentrations and a low or high cell count with a high proportion of lymphocytes. An increase in capillary permeability may play a role in the pathogenesis of ascites.