[Value of ascitic lipids and sero-ascitic gradient of albumin in the differential diagnosis of ascites].
In order to compare its diagnostic value in the differentiation between malignant and hepatic ascites, we analysed the ascitic fluid concentrations of cholesterol (Ct) and triglycerides (Tg) and the serum-ascites albumin gradient (S-A alb grad) in 58 patients--forty one with chronic liver disease (CLD) and 17 with malignancy. In CLD group the mean values +/- SD for Ct (27.1 +/- 20.1 mg/dl), Tg (34.2 +/- 33.8 mg/dl) and S-A alb grad (1.9 +/- 0.6 g/dl) were significantly different from those obtained in malignant ascites (Ct 103.1 +/- 45.1 mg/dl; Tg 62.1 +/- 43.0 mg/dl; S-A alb grad 0.5 +/- 0.4 g/dl) (p less than 0.001 for all parameters). Application of the cutoff concentrations given in the literature revealed the following results: Ct-Sensitivity (Se) 82.4%, Specificity (Sp) 85.4%, Efficiency (E) 84.5%; Tg-Se 29.4%, Sp 95.1%, E 75.9%; S-A alb grad- Se 88.2%, Sp 97.6%, E 94.8%. The exclusion of the 4 patients with massive hepatic metastasis from malignant group by ultrasound or computer tomography gave an efficiency of 87.0% for Ct, 88.9% for Tg and 98.1% for S-A alb grad. We conclude that: 1) S-A alb grad is the best analysed parameter in the discrimination between malignant and hepatic ascites, 2) the combination with non-invasive imaging methods increases its diagnostic value.
Cabral
J E
JE
Leitão
M C
MC
Guerra
C
C
Tomé
L
L
Pinto
M L
ML
Costa
D
D
Monteiro
G
G
D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis*; D001201:Ascites / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000032:analysis*
D000418:Albumins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol
Valor dos lípidos ascíticos e do gradiente sero-ascítico de albumina no diagnóstico diferencial das ascites.