Editorial Note: The Case Challenge series includes difficult-to-diagnose conditions, some of which are not frequently encountered by most clinicians but are nonetheless important to accurately recognize. Test your diagnostic and treatment skills using the following patient scenario and corresponding questions. If you have a case that you would like to suggest for a future Case Challenge, please contact us.
Background
A 48-year-old man is called into his primary care provider's office to discuss abnormal laboratory values from a specimen drawn during a prior visit. The patient has alcoholism and was recently diagnosed with cirrhosis. Upon presentation, the patient has developed increased abdominal distension and looks generally unwell. He is advised to report immediately to the nearest emergency department (ED).
At the ED, the patient describes vague abdominal pain that is dull in nature and poorly localized. Paracentesis is performed to exclude spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. The ascitic fluid obtained is grossly hemorrhagic, with a spun hematocrit (HCT) of 20%. His serum HCT has dropped dramatically, from 41.5% 2 days earlier to 25.9% in the ED. His international normalized ratio (INR) is 1.7. He is started on intravenous fluids, vitamin K is administered, and he is transferred to another ED for a higher level of care.
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Cite this: A 48-Year-Old With Cirrhosis and Sudden Abdominal Distension - Medscape - Apr 05, 2023.
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