LYMPHOCYTIC ASCITES REVEALING A SYSTEMIC MASTOCYTOSIS

Systemic mastocytosis is a chronic disease with proliferation of masto cytes in organs separate from skin. We report the case of a systemic m astocytosis revealed by a lymphocytic ascites in the absence of cutane ous involvement. The diagnosis was established by the ultrastructural examination of the bone marrow. Identification of few mastocytes in as cites suggested a mast cell infiltration of the peritoneum. A treatmen t by alpha-ab interferon was unsuccessful, and death rapidly occurred.