A patient with myelofibrosis complicated by refractory ascites and portal hypertension: to tips or not to tips?A case report with discussion of the mechanism of ascites formation

In patients with myelofibrosis, clinically significant portal hypertension is known to be predominantly presinusoidal; however, the exact mechanisms are still controversial. The pathophysiology is particularly enigmatic in those patients without histological and angiographic evidence of significant intra- or extrahepatic obstruction to portal blood flow, respectively. Moreover, ascites formation has been reported in such cases, but in general is rare in presinusoidal portal hypertension. Here we present such a patient in which ascites developed even in the presence of unchanged serum protein levels (oncotic pressure) and was refractory to sodium restricted diet and high-dose diuretic treatment. A discussion on the parameters influencing fluid exchange and ascites formation particularly emphasizing the potential importance of the hyperdynamic circulation in this case is given. Finally, the patient was treated by implanting a transjugular intrahepatic shunt (TIPS), exerting a diuretic effect sufficient enough to avoid re-formation of ascites for several months. However, ascites re-accumulated potentially due to the appearance of ectopic peritoneal myeloid metaplasia and the patient died soon afterwards. In conclusion, TIPS may be considered as rescue management for refractory ascites secondary to portal hypertension, but caution in respect to the presence and or development of peritoneal or other ectopic haematopoesis has to be taken.