title: The role of peritoneal biopsy in the diagnosis of ascites.
abstract: Percutaneous biopsies of the peritoneum were obtained in 23 patients with ascites of unknown cause. The only case of tuberculous peritonitis was correctly diagnosed. Peritoneal biopsy provided a diagnosis of malignancy in 6 patients (one lymphoma, one mesothelioma, 4 cases of disseminated carcinoma) but failed to recognize a further 13 cases of disseminated carcinoma. Previous literature is reviewed and the diagnostic usefulness of this procedure is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000473:pathology*