Open AccessAcute chylous peritonitis due to idiopathic pancreatitis mimicking acute appendicitis
Author(s) -
Dan Bratu,
Alin Mihețiu,
Dragoș Virgil Davițoiu,
Vlad Dumitru Bãleanu,
Liliana Florina Andronache,
Oana Popescu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of mind and medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2601-4920
pISSN - 2392-7674
DOI - 10.22543/7674.81.p149153
Subject(s) - medicine , chylous ascites , chyle , acute pancreatitis , laparoscopy , acute abdomen , ascites , effusion , surgery , abdomen , pleural effusion , peritonitis , pancreatitis , peritoneal fluid , iliac fossa , abdominal cavity , abdominal pain , peritoneal effusion , laparotomy , radiology , complication
The acute development and the accumulation of chyle into the peritoneal space is a rare condition and one needs to be able to distinguish it from chylous ascites, which is most commonly chronic and associated with related diseases. It is frequently idiopathic and additionally, clinical and imaging findings are nonspecific. In almost all cases, the diagnosis is made intraoperatively during laparoscopy or laparotomy, most diagnostic procedures being indicated by acute complaints pertaining to the abdomen. A 23-year-old man was admitted to the Emergency Department with abdominal pain, with right iliac fossa tenderness and peritonism. Laparoscopy was performed due to acute abdomen findings. Further exploration revealed chylous effusion with milky-like fluid. The peritoneal lavage and the insertion of drains were subsequent to the careful inspection of the cavity. The biochemical analysis of the peritoneal fluid was an important aid which provided the diagnosis of chylous peritonitis due to acute pancreatitis.