Lymphedema tarda after liver transplantation: a case report and review of the literature.
We present a patient with lymphedema that developed after orthotopic liver transplantation. The cause of the posttransplant lymphedema was likely related to a developmental abnormality of the lymphatic system that was exaggerated by refractory chylous ascites. A peritoneal fluid with a milky appearance, chylous ascites is rich in triglyceride and is caused by the obstruction or disruption of abdominal lymphatic channels. It is a rare complication that may develop after trauma or abdominal surgery or as a result of a malignant disease, and it is even more uncommon after liver transplantation. Therapy for chylous ascites involves treating its underlying cause. In the patient we describe, lymphedema tarda, which was diagnosed 6 months after liver transplantation, was likely caused by chylous ascites and a developmental abnormality of the lymphatic system.
Saab
Sammy
S
Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-7302, USA. Ssaab@mednet.ucla.edu
Nguyen
Stephen
S
Collins
James
J
Kunder
Gregg
G
Busuttil
Ronald W
RW
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001201:Ascites / Q000175:diagnosis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents