Chylous ascites caused by lutembacher’s syndrome: A case report and review of the literature.

ABSTRACT

Chylous ascites is a well-documented sequelae of traumatic rupture of the thoracic duct and mechanical obstruction of the lymphatic system due to neoplastic, inflammatory, or congenital anomalies. Less commonly, chylous ascites results from altered hemodynamics and lymphatic flow, as seen in constrictive pericarditis and heart failure. We report a case of chylous ascites due to severe mitral stenosis plus atrial septal defect known as Lutembacher’s syndrome. From our knowledge, this has never been reported before. The chylous ascites disappeared after repairing the heart. The pathophysiology of chylous ascites formation in this clinical syndrome will be discussed, with a review of the literature.