Pancreatic ascites: Successful treatment with pancreatic radiation

A 51-year-old man with clinical and laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of pancreatic ascites is reported. Response to usual medical measures was inadequate. Single-dose irradiation to the pancreatic area (550 rads) resulted in marked improvement in his ascites. Operative pancreatogram months later revealed no evidence of ductal leakage. Low-dose pancreatic irradiation may be a useful therapeutic adjunct in the older, high-risk patient with pancreatic ascites in whom surgery is not condidered feasible.