TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Paracentesis A1 - Koo, Alex A1 - Walsh, Ryan A2 - Reichman, Eric F. PY - 2018 T2 - Reichman's Emergency Medicine Procedures, 3e AB - Ascites is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity (Figure 83-1). It has important implications diagnostically, prognostically, and therapeutically. Cirrhosis of the liver is usually related to alcoholism and accounts for 75% of cases of ascites.1,2 Malignancy accounts for an additional 10% to 12% and cardiac failure for another 5%. The remaining cases have a variety of etiologies. The physical examination is not very reliable when it comes to detecting ascites, making paracentesis and ultrasound (US) important clinical tools.3 US-guided paracentesis has two key benefits. It facilitates performance of the procedure and identifies patients in whom the procedure is not warranted or could potentially be harmful.4 SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1159799740 ER -