A Case of Refractory Ascites with Liver Cirrhosis Successfully Treated by the Combination of Inchinkoto and Goreisan (Inchinkoto-Go-Goreisan)

Abstract

We report on a case of ascites with liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) that was successfully treated with a combination of inchinkoto and goreisan (inchinkoto-go-goreisan). Our patient, a 58-year-old woman had neglected her chronic B hepatitis and diabetes mellitus, and had not been treated with medication. She was admitted to our hospital because of severe jaundice and the ascites, which were noted when she consulted us for traumatic neck pain. Though we administered human albumin with diuretics, e.g. the combination of furosemide and spironolactone, the ascites did not improve. After administering a combination of inchinkoto and goreisan decoction, however, the ascites decreased rapidly within a month. In this case, we found that an inchinkoto-go-goreisan decoction was more effective than an inchinkoto decoction or a goreisan extract. This suggests that the effects of Gardenia and Rheum they are made from can be significant.