RT Book, Section
A1 McQuaid, Kenneth R.
A2 Papadakis, Maxine A.
A2 McPhee, Stephen J.
A2 Rabow, Michael W.
A2 McQuaid, Kenneth R.
SR Print(0)
ID 1193150897
T1 Assessment of the Patient with Ascites
T2 Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2023
YR 2023
FD 2023
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781264687343
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1193150897
RD 2024/04/18
AB The  term  “ascites”  denotes  the  pathologic  accumulation  of  fluid  in  the  peritoneal  cavity.  Healthy  men  have  little  or  no  intraperitoneal  fluid,  but  women  normally  may  have  up  to  20  mL  depending  on  the  phase  of  the  menstrual  cycle.  The  causes  of  ascites  may  be  classified  into  two  broad  pathophysiologic  categories:  that  which  is  associated  with  a  normal  peritoneum  and  that  which  occurs  due  to  a  diseased  peritoneum  (Table  15–7).  The  most  common  cause  of  ascites  is  portal  hypertension  secondary  to  chronic  liver  disease,  which  accounts  for  over  80%  of  patients  with  ascites.  The  management  of  portal  hypertensive  ascites  is  discussed  in  Chapter  16.  The  most  common  causes  of  nonportal  hypertensive  ascites  include  infections  (tuberculous  peritonitis),  intra-abdominal  malignancy,  inflammatory  disorders  of  the  peritoneum,  and  ductal  disruptions  (chylous,  pancreatic,  biliary).