Myxedema ascites: case report and literature review.
Myxedema ascites caused by hypothyroidism is rare, so its diagnosis is often delayed and patients frequently receive unnecessary procedures such as liver biopsies and exploratory laparotomies. We report a 71-yr-old man with clinical ascites that was the first manifestation of hypothyroidism, and which resolved completely in response to thyroid hormone replacement therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of myxedema ascites in Korea. A review of the literature revealed 51 well-documented cases of myxedema ascites. Analyses of ascites from patients in this condition usually show high protein (>2.5 g/dL) and low white blood cell counts, with a high proportion of lymphocytes. A consistent feature is the good response to thyroid hormone replacement therapy, which has always led to resolution of the ascites. Myxedema ascites is thus rare but easy to treat; it should be borne in mind, especially if the ascites fluid has a high protein content.
Ji
Jeong-Seon
JS
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Chae
Hiun-Suk
HS
Cho
Young-Seok
YS
Kim
Hyung-Keun
HK
Kim
Sung-Soo
SS
Kim
Chang-Wook
CW
Lee
Chang-Don
CD
Lee
Bo-In
BI
Choi
Hwang
H
Lee
Kang-Moon
KM
Lee
Hye-Kyung
HK
Choi
Kyu-Yong
KY
D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D009230:Myxedema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013963:Thyroid Hormones