Korean J Gastroenterol.
2002 Oct;40(4):272-277.
A Case of Chylous Reflux Syndrome Associated with Cutaneous Chylous Reflux, Chylous Ascites, and Protein-losing Enteropathy
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University College of Medicine, Jeonju, Korea. soo@moak.chongbuk.ac.kr
Abstract
- Chylous reflux syndrome is an entity describing a primary disturbance in which there is a back flow of chyle from its normal pathway from the bowel lacteals through the cysterna chyli and the thoracic duct, into the venous system. It may show itself clinically in many different ways. Small vesicles containing chyle may appear on the skin and discharge milk-like fluid. Occasionally chyle may collect in the serous cavities of the body. We have experienced a case of chylous reflux syndrome with complaints of abdominal swelling, edema of lower extremities and scrotum, and small vesicles discharging milk-like fluid on the skin. We performed ascitic fluid examination, several imaging studies, which showed chylous ascites, a mass at the mesenteric base, and the protein-losing enteropathy and a cutaneous chylous reflux. After ingesting a medium-chain triglyceride diet, the generalized symptoms improved, and the ascites, swelling, and vesicles on the skin disappeared gradually.
