[Spontaneous resolution of refractory ascites in the late phase after cord blood transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia].

Patients with refractory ascites that develops >3 months after allogenic stem cell transplantation typically have a poor prognosis. We present the case of a 61-year-old man who developed refractory massive ascites approximately 3 months after cord blood transplantation (CBT) and showed complete and spontaneous remission from ascites after 18 months. The patient complained of severe bloating and needed weekly paracentesis to manage the fluid levels. Laboratory tests indicated that the ascites was caused by liver fibrosis. After the patient underwent Keisuke-Matsusaki cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (KM-CART), we were able to decrease the frequency of paracentesis treatments. We planned a transjugular liver biopsy, but the patient contracted pneumocystis pneumonia before the procedure could be performed. Although the pneumonia improved, the ascites worsened again. However, weekly paracentesis spontaneously stopped the progression of ascites and eventually resolved it completely, resulting in the patient's survival.