MYXOEDEMA ASCITES WITH CONCOMITANT SPONTANEOUS BACTERIAL PERITONITIS

Hypothyroidism is an uncommon cause of ascites. Here we describe a case of a 71 year-old female patient with myxoedema ascites and subclinical spontaneous bacterial peritonitis that resolved with thyroid replacement and antibiotic therapy respectively.  Ascitic fluid analysis revealed a gram-positive bacterium, specifically enterococcus faecium that was sensitive to vancomycin. A review of the literature revealed just one other reported case of myxoedema ascites with concomitant subclinical spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Key words: Peritonitis, Ascites, Hypothyroidism, Myxoedema. Conflict of interest: None.