Recurrent ascites and pleural effusions after surgery for early-stage endometrial adenocarcinoma

A case of massive postoperative ascites in a woman treated for endometrial cancer is reported. A workup for typical causes of ascites yielded negative results, prompting a more detailed analysis of the patient's condition. Hypothyroidism was discovered. After correction of the hypothyroidism, t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Southern medical journal (Birmingham, Ala.) Vol. 94; no. 7; pp. 738 - 740
Main Authors:	Ridgeway, J J, Pettigrew, C, Gallup, D G, Burke, J J, Weber, F H
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States Southern Medical Association 01-07-2001
Subjects:	Adenocarcinoma Adenocarcinoma - surgery Aged Ascites Ascites - diagnostic imaging Ascites - etiology Care and treatment Endometrial cancer Endometrial Neoplasms - surgery Female Humans Hypothyroidism Myxedema - complications Paracentesis Physiological aspects Pleural Effusion - complications Pleural effusions Postoperative Complications - diagnosis Recurrence Tomography, X-Ray Computed Treatment Outcome United States
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Summary:	A case of massive postoperative ascites in a woman treated for endometrial cancer is reported. A workup for typical causes of ascites yielded negative results, prompting a more detailed analysis of the patient's condition. Hypothyroidism was discovered. After correction of the hypothyroidism, the ascites slowly resolved. Since myxedema is an uncommon cause of ascites, this is usually a diagnosis of exclusion. However, hypothyroidism must be ruled out to prevent unnecessary and possibly inappropriate treatments for ascites.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Case Study-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-4 content type line 23 ObjectType-Report-1 ObjectType-Article-3
ISSN:	0038-4348
DOI:	10.1097/00007611-200107000-00023