RT Book, Section
A1 Koo, Alex
A1 Walsh, Ryan
A2 Reichman, Eric F.
SR Print(0)
ID 1159799740
T1 Paracentesis
T2 Reichman's Emergency Medicine Procedures, 3e
YR 2018
FD 2018
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781259861925
LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1159799740
RD 2024/04/25
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