title: Refractory ascites due to POEMS syndrome.
abstract: A 52-yr-old woman developed exudative ascites 2 yr after the onset of peripheral neuropathy. Extensive evaluation revealed that the patient had no underlying liver disease, malignancy, infection, or cardiac or renal disease. The ascites initially responded to high-dose corticosteroid therapy. The patient had many clinical features of the recently described POEMS syndrome, including a persistent IgA lambda-paraprotein. Initially, her ascites responded to treatment with steroids. This is characteristic of the syndrome and should be considered in patients with POEMS syndrome and refractory ascites.
authors.affiliation: Eden Hospital Medical Center, Castro Valley, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, California.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Loeb
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Hauger
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Carney
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology*; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000150:complications*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000150:complications; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000150:complications; D013577:Syndrome