What color is chylous ascites?
Ascitic fluid characteristics in chylous ascites (adapted from Cardenas and Chopra, 2002)3
| Characteristics | Value |
|---|---|
| Color | Milky and cloudy |
| Triglyceride level | >200 mg/dL |
| Cell count | >500 (predominance of lymphocytes) |
| Total protein | 2.5–7.0 g/dL |
What color should ascites fluid be?
Ascitic fluid is typically translucent and yellow. Fluid of other colour or consistency may reflect specific underlying disease processes (see table).
What causes chylous sample?
Results: Chylous ascites is caused by the traumatic or obstructive disruption of the lymphatic system that leads to extravasation of thoracic or intestinal lymph into the abdominal space and the accumulation of a milky fluid rich in triglycerides.
Why does chyle have a milky white appearance?
In people on a normal diet, this fluid collection can sometimes be identified by its turbid, milky white appearance, since chyle contains emulsified triglycerides. Chylothorax is a rare but serious condition, as it signals leakage of the thoracic duct or one of its tributaries.
What is chylous ascites?
Chylous ascites is a milky-appearing peritoneal fluid that is rich in triglycerides. It is due to the presence of thoracic or intestinal lymph in the abdominal cavity [1,2].
What is congenital chylous ascites?
Background: Congenital chylous ascites is a rare condition that constitutes a challenge for the physician. It is defined as the accumulation of chyle into the peritoneal cavity in infants younger than 3 months.
What should I look for in ascites fluid?
Inspection: Most ascitic fluid is transparent and tinged yellow. A minimum of 10,000 red blood cells/µL is required for ascitic fluid to appear pink, and more than 20,000 red blood cells/µL will produce distinctly blood-tinged fluid. This may result from either a traumatic tap or malignancy.
How do you treat chylous ascites?
How Is Chylous Ascites Treated?
- removing fluid from the belly with a needle.
- placing a drain in the belly so the fluid can flow out.
- helping the body make less chyle with medicine, a low-fat diet, or IV nutrition (total parenteral nutrition, or TPN)
- interventional radiology to fix the lymph vessel.
What foods can you eat with chylous ascites?
For symptomatic treatment of chylous ascites, a diet that is high in protein and low in fat with medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) is recommended. MCTs are found in palm and coconut oil, full-fat milk, cheese, and butter, which contain capric and lauric acid.
What makes chylous ascites an uncommon form of ascite?
Chylous ascites (CA) is an uncommon form of ascites, defined as the leakage of the lipid-rich lymph into the peritoneal cavity [ 1 ]. Damage or obstruction to the lymphatic system or one of its tributaries produces ascites with a turbid or milky appearance from the high triglyceride content [ 1 ].
What should the triglyceride level be in ascitic fluid?
A triglyceride level in the ascitic fluid should be obtained, and a concentration greater than 200 mg/dL supports the diagnosis. Fat globules and leucocytes with a predominance of lymphocytes are shown after staining with Sudan III and undergoing microscopic examination.
Where are short and medium chain triglycerides absorbed in the body?
Short-and-medium chain triglycerides (MCT), which make up approximately one-third of dietary fat, are absorbed directly by the portal venous system. This particular fact forms the basis for the use of MCT as an oral diet in the conservative management of CA.