RT Book, Section A1 Greenberger, Norton J. A2 Greenberger, Norton J. A2 Blumberg, Richard S. A2 Burakoff, Robert SR Print(0) ID 1119990779 T1 Ascites & Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis T2 CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment: Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Endoscopy, 3e YR 2016 FD 2016 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9780071837729 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1119990779 RD 2024/03/28 AB ESSENTIALS OF DIAGNOSISAll patients with cirrhosis and ascites on admission should undergo diagnostic paracentesis.Diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is usually established by an elevated ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) count >250 cells/mL. Whereas some patients with ascites have peritoneal fluid PMN counts >250 cells/mL, all patients with SBP do.The most useful parameter for classifying ascites is the serum ascites–albumin gradient (SAAG).With 98% accuracy a SAAG value >1.1 g/dL is consistent with ascites secondary to portal hypertension.SAAG values <1.1 g/dL can occur in ascites due to infection, inflammation, or neoplasm.