Ascites due to right atrial myxoma in a haemodialysis patient.
BACKGROUND
Persistent fluid overload in patients on renal replacement therapy despite good dialysis adequacy or obvious cardiac dysfunction should prompt a search for rarer causes.


METHODS
We report here a rare cause of persistent peripheral oedema and ascites in a well-dialysed patient. CT scanning revealed a right atrial myxoma that was later confirmed on an echocardiogram.


CONCLUSIONS
Fluid overload states are common in patients on dialysis. Common causes are inadequacy of dialysis and non-compliance. Where aetiology is not easily apparent further investigations into rarer causes should be sought.
Banerjee
Anindya
A
University College London, Centre for Nephrology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK. anindya.banerjee2@nhs.net
Davenport
Andrew
A
D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009232:Myxoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects