RT Book, Section
A1 Reichman, Eric F.
SR Print(0)
ID 57706708
T1 Chapter 65. Paracentesis
T2 Emergency Medicine Procedures, 2e
YR 2013
FD 2013
PB The McGraw-Hill Companies
PP New York, NY
SN 978-0-07-161352-1
LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=57706708
RD 2024/04/19
AB The  word  ascites  is  derived  from  the  Greek  askos  meaning  “bag”  or  “sac.”  Ascites,  an  abnormal  accumulation  of  fluid  in  the  abdominal  cavity,  has  important  implications  diagnostically,  therapeutically,  and  prognostically.  Cirrhosis  of  the  liver,  which  is  usually  related  to  alcoholism,  accounts  for  75%  of  cases  of  ascites;  malignancy  accounts  for  an  additional  10%  to  12%,  and  cardiac  failure  for  another  5%.  The  remaining  cases  have  a  variety  of  etiologies.1  Unfortunately,  the  physical  examination  is  not  very  reliable  when  it  comes  to  detecting  ascites,  making  paracentesis  and  ultrasound  (US)  important  clinical  tools.2  US-guided  paracentesis  has  two  key  benefits.  It  not  only  facilitates  performance  of  the  procedure,  but  it  also  identifies  patients  in  whom  the  procedure  is  not  warranted  or  could  potentially  be  harmful.3