title: Interpretation of ascitic fluid data.
abstract: Except in the case of chylous or hemorrhagic effusion, the gross appearance of ascitic fluid is not especially helpful in the investigation of ascites of unknown origin. The differential diagnosis of ascites rests on more objective data obtained from chemical and cytologic analyses. Both routine and special ascitic fluid tests are listed here, and test results are interpreted as they apply to four major disease states.
mesh_terms: D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D000681:Amylases / Q000032:analysis; D001201:Ascites / Q000175:diagnosis; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000032:analysis / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D002915:Chylous Ascites / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006644:Histiocytes / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000681:Amylases