Q: Define chylous ascites?


Answer: Chylous ascites is defined as the presence of ascitic fluid with triglyceride higher than 110 mg/dL. Another defination described is - Ascites:Plasma ratio of Triglyceride more than 2.

It may occur due to various reasons including abdominal trauma, malignant neoplasms such as hepatoma or lymphoma, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, cirrhosis, irradiation, abdominal tuberculosis and others.

Chylous ascites requires treatment of underlying cause. A low-fat diet with medium-chain triglyceride supplementation can reduce the flow of chyle into the lymphatics. It may also require patient to be NPO and be on TPN. If dietary measures fail, peritoneovenous shunting may be successful.