CHYLOUS ASCITES RESULTING FROM KAPOSIS-SARCOMA IN AN AIDS PATIENT

Chylous ascites is an entity not previously reported in association wi th AIDS. A 43-yr-old male with previous diagnosis of AIDS developed ch ylous ascites. Septic complications lead to his death. At autopsy, Kap osi's sarcoma (KS) lesions were present on the skin, in the omentum, m esentery, and small and large bowel mucosa. A histological section of the cisterna chyli showed involvement and obstruction by KS. This repr esents a unique case in which the mechanism leading to the formation o f chylous ascites by KS was demonstrated by the autopsy findings in an HIV-positive patient.