title: The diagnostic work-up in patients with ascites: current guidelines and future prospects.
abstract: Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity - ascites - is commonly encountered in clinical practice. Ascites can originate from hepatic, malignant, cardiac, renal, and infectious diseases. This review discusses the current recommended diagnostic approach towards the patient with ascites and summarises future diagnostic targets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Oey
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: van Buuren
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de Man
mesh_terms: D001201:Ascites / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D046508:Culture Techniques; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019152:Paracentesis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014463:Ultrasonography