Prolonged hyperglycemia after intraperitoneal administration of triamcinolone acetonide in an end-stage ovarian cancer patient with refractory ascites

ABSTRACT

<b>Case</b>: A 71-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus was diagnosed as end-stage ovarian cancer. She was suffering from stomachache and anorexia because of massive ascites. Although we performed abdominal paracentesis for symptomatic palliation, ascites accumulated again in a few days. In order to control the refractory ascites, we administered intraperitoneal triamcinolone acetonide (10 mg/kg) after the fourth abdominal paracentesis; consequently, the interval between the consecutive abdominal paracentesis procedures was extended remarkably. However, prolonged hyperglycemia occurred despite the administration of a single dose of triamcinolone acetonide, and insulin therapy was required for eight days. <b>Conclusion</b>: To our knowledge, this is the first report of intraperitoneal administration of triamcinolone acetonide that caused prolonged hyperglycemia. Therefore, this drug should be administered with caution in such patients with diabetes mellitus.