Primary Intestinal Lymphangiectasia Successfully Controlled with a Denver Peritoneovenous Shunt for Refractory Ascites.

Abstract

A 53-year-old man presented with abdominal symptoms and a fever for 6 months and ascites and lower body edema for 2 months before visiting our clinic. Heart failure, renal failure, inferior vena cava or portal vein obstruction, cirrhosis, and malignancy were suspected, but none were present. We also suspected protein-leakage gastroenteropathy based on the elevated alpha-1 antitrypsin clearance (224 mL/day). Based on the double-balloon endoscopy findings, we diagnosed the patient with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia. Since the patient's ascites were not satisfactorily controlled medically, a Denver peritoneovenous shunt was placed. As a result, the ascites volume was successfully controlled over an extended period.