Large volume paracentesis of 39.5 liters chylous ascites in the setting of high-grade follicular lymphoma

Abstract

The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases recognizes large volume paracentesis as draining greater than 5 liters of ascites and states there is no limit in the amount of ascites drained with appropriate replacement of albumin. For many practitioners performing safe large volume paracentesis between 5 and 10 liters or even 20 liters is not an uncommon practice. However, drainage of higher volumes outside common practice may raise concerns of patient intolerance and complication. The largest volume paracentesis reported in the literature to date is 41 liters. However, few other reports approach this volume. This case report demonstrates patient tolerance of a 39.5-liter paracentesis performed with close monitoring and hypertonic albumin replacement in a patient with chylous ascites due to high-grade follicular lymphoma.