Chylous Ascites Following Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement: A Case Report
- 1Department of Internal Medicine Rochester General Hospital
- 2Depatment of Nephrology Rochester General Hospital
Abstract
Chylous ascites is a rare complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) that can mimic peritonitis and pose diagnostic challenges. We present a 72-year-old man with stage IV chronic kidney disease who developed milky dialysis effluent 20 days after uncomplicated PD catheter placement. He remained asymptomatic, with no signs of infection. Dialysate triglycerides were markedly elevated (653–874 mg/dL), and cultures were negative, confirming chylous ascites. Antibiotics were not initiated, and PD was continued. Although his calcium channel blocker was discontinued, the effluent began clearing before cessation, with complete resolution within one month. Recent catheter placement suggested iatrogenic lymphatic injury as the most likely etiology, although calcium channel blockers have also been implicated. Diagnosis is supported by milky fluid with triglycerides >200 mg/dL. In clinically stable patients, conservative management and continued dialysis may be sufficient. After excluding secondary causes, catheter-related lymphatic injury should be considered in PD-associated chylous ascites.
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BibTeX
@article{salih2026chylous,
title = {{Chylous Ascites Following Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement: A Case Report}},
author = {Huda Salih and Soufiane Bengelloun Zahr and John Hix},
journal = {Journal of Brown hospital medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.56305/001c.168179},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13730611},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Chylous Ascites Following Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement: A Case Report
AU - Huda Salih
AU - Soufiane Bengelloun Zahr
AU - John Hix
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Journal of Brown hospital medicine
DO - 10.56305/001c.168179
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13730611
AB - Chylous ascites is a rare complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) that can mimic peritonitis and pose diagnostic challenges. We present a 72-year-old man with stage IV chronic kidney disease who developed milky dialysis effluent 20 days after uncomplicated PD catheter placement. He remained asymptomatic, with no signs of infection. Dialysate triglycerides were markedly elevated (653–874 mg/dL), and cultures were negative, confirming chylous ascites. Antibiotics were not initiated, and PD was continued. Although his calcium channel blocker was discontinued, the effluent began clearing before cessation, with complete resolution within one month. Recent catheter placement suggested iatrogenic lymphatic injury as the most likely etiology, although calcium channel blockers have also been implicated. Diagnosis is supported by milky fluid with triglycerides >200 mg/dL. In clinically stable patients, conservative management and continued dialysis may be sufficient. After excluding secondary causes, catheter-related lymphatic injury should be considered in PD-associated chylous ascites.
SN - 2994-5593
ER -