Post-paracentesis scrotal edema: A case report

Abstract

Abdominal paracentesis is a common and safe procedure used to remove ascitic fluid from the body. It is performed in both the inpatient and outpatient setting and can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The most common complications of this procedure include a persistent fluid leak, an infection from the puncture site and an abdominal wall hematoma. The finding of sudden-onset massive genital swelling is a rare, and only occasionally reported, complication of a paracentesis. This article will discuss the case of a 58-year-old male with decompensated liver cirrhosis who presented with sudden-onset scrotal and penile swelling within 12 h after a paracentesis. After ruling out other causes of scrotal swelling, it was concluded that this is likely a complication of the recent paracentesis. The scrotal swelling was treated with conservative management including oral diuretic therapy and scrotal elevation, and the patient showed significant improvement in symptoms in 2 days. The cause of post-paracentesis scrotal edema is not widely studied; however, it is hypothesized to be caused by a fistula tract that forms between the peritoneal cavity and the Camper’s and Scarpa’s fascia which causes fluid to collect in the scrotum.