Idiopathic chylous peritonitis mimicking acute appendicitis A case report

Abstract

We report an uncommon case of idiopathic acute chylous peritonitis mimicking an acute appendicitis in a 30-year-old female patient with a 2-day history of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Chylous ascites is a rare form of ascites characterized by the presence of a milky fluid rich in triglycerides. It occurs as a result of a damage to the lymphatic system due to trauma or other benign and malignant pathologies. Although the most common clinical presentation is progressive painless abdominal distension, less frequently it can cause acute abdomen symptoms. The management is based on identifying and treating the underlying pathology. Aspiration of the fluid and drainage are the only therapy required if a clinically diagnosis cannot be made. Surgical laparoscopic exploration is necessary to make a diagnosis and to treat effectively acute abdomen cases.In the absence of a significant determining pathology, we talk about idiopathic chylous peritonitis.