Chylous ascites in cirrhosis from retroperitoneal lymphoma.

Chylous ascites occurs due to processes that elevate pressures within or obstruct the lymphatics in the retroperitoneum. In cirrhosis, spontaneous chylous ascites can occur but is uncommon. We describe a case of a 74-year-old man with cirrhosis from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis who presented with worsening abdominal distension and chylous ascites on paracentesis; an infiltrating retroperitoneal lymphoma was subsequently detected on computed tomography imaging.