Ascites CT

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Eiman Ghaffarpasand, M.D. [2]

Overview

Abdominal CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of ascites. Findings on CT scan suggestive of ascites include fluid accumulation within abdominal cavity, defined as transudate (same density as water), exudate (more density than water), and hemoperitoneum (density as ~45 HU).

Abdominal CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of ascites. Findings on CT scan suggestive of ascites include:^[1]

Fluid accumulation within abdominal cavity.
- Same density as water (-10 to +10 HU): Transudate
- More density than water (>15 HU): Exudate
- Density as ~45 HU: Blood (hemoperitoneum)

**Ascites**

Ascites due to peritoneal carcinomatosis, via Radiopaedia.org^[2]	Ascites due to peritoneal carcinomatosis, via Radiopaedia.org^[2]
Ascites due to cirrosis secondary to hepatitis C infection-Case courtesy of Dr David Cuete, via Radiopaedia.org^[2]	Ascites due to cholangiocarcinoma, via Radiopaedia.org^[2]

↑ Halvorsen RA, Thompson WM (1986). “Ascites or pleural effusion? CT and ultrasound differentiation”. Crit Rev Diagn Imaging. 26 (3): 201–40. PMID 3536306.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 Radiopaedia.org. From the case <“https://radiopaedia.org/cases/11213“>rID: 11213