Milky Mesentery: Acute Abdomen with Chylous Ascites

Background: Clinical presentations of intestinal lymphangiectasia include pitting edema,chylous ascites, pleural effusion, diarrhea, malabsorption and intestinal obstruction. CaseCharacteristics: An 8-year-old male child presented to the emergency department withclinical features of peritonitis, raising suspicion of appendicular or small bowel perforation.Intervention/Outcome: Diagnosis of chylous ascites with primary intestinallymphangiectasia made on laparotomy. Message: Acute peritonitis may be a presentationof primary intestinal lymphangiectasia and chylous ascites.