Severe exudative ascites as an initial presentation of Crohn's disease.

Ascites in the course of Crohn's diseases is rarely seen and usually is a result of a concomitant malignancy, infection or thrombosis of portal or hepatic veins. In this article, a 55-year-old female patient suffering from severe ascites and finally diagnosed as Crohn's disease is presented. Further investigations revealed no malignancy, peritoneal infection or vein thrombosis. Treatment of Crohn's disease with steroids and 5-aminosalicylic acid also resulted in the disappearance of the ascites.