[Chylous ascites imitating acute appendicitis].

Acute accumulation of chyle in the peritoneal cavity is rare. It is usually idiopathic and the diagnosis is made at laparotomy, when indicated because of signs of acute peritonitis. Drainage is the only treatment required and the prognosis is excellent. A 33 year-old man who was operated on for signs of acute peritonitis is described. There was more than a liter of chyle, but no underlying pathological condition was found. 3 months after discharge, physical and laboratory examinations were normal, with no evidence of chylomicron retention disease.