Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM): a rare cause of ascites and pleural effusion

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 45 year old woman presented at our hospital for further evaluation of intermittent abdominal pain. The patient reported that she had suffered a spontaneous pneumothorax 8 years and a pleural effusion 3 years before. DIAGNOSTIC FINDINGS AND THERAPY: Abdominal ultrasound showed abdominal fluid which proved to be chylous ascites by diagnostic paracentesis. Radiologic (lymphangiography) findings were consistent with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Remarkably, lymphangiography resulted in an immediate disappearance of the ascitic fluid. CONCLUSION: This report depicts a case of LAM which involved both pulmonary and intestinal symptoms. Previous pulmonary problems gave a hint towards the right diagnosis. Though lymphangiography is rarely performed in these days, the method was both diagnostic and therapeutic in the case presented.