Abstract

A hiatal hernia causing or aggravating ascites by compressing the hepatic veins has been rarely reported in adults. We report a patient with a known hiatal hernia who was presented with refractory ascites. Echocardiography and CT examination demonstrated a huge hiatal hernia compressing the right atrium and the inferior vena cava. A right-sided heart catheterization demonstrated a significant pressure gradient between the inferior vena cava and the right atrium. Liver biopsy showed a nodular pattern and congestion without fibrosis. Hernioplasty was performed and an improvement in the rate of the accumulation of ascetic fluid was observed. Three months later and during a follow-up period of 3 years, the ascites was mild and there was no need for any therapeutic paracentesis. The outcome indicates that the huge hiatal hernia, by creating hepatic venous outflow obstruction, was the underlying mechanism for ascites aggravation. J Med Cases. 2014;5(11):573-575 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc1559w

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.