Ascites ultrasound

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

Overview

Ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of ascites. Findings on an ultrasound diagnostic of ascites include anechoic fluid accumulation in abdominal cavity (simple transudate ascites), fluid accumulation along with floating debris (exudative, hemoperitoneum, or malignant ascites), and fluid accumulation along with septations (inflammatory or malignant ascites).

Ultrasound

Ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of ascites. Findings on an ultrasound diagnostic of ascites include:^[2]

Anechoic fluid accumulation in abdominal cavity: Simple transudate ascites
Fluid accumulation along with floating debris: Exudative, hemoperitoneum, or malignant ascites
Fluid accumulation along with septations (loculated ascites): Inflammatory or malignant ascites

References

↑ Radiopaedia.org. From the case <“https://radiopaedia.org/cases/29199“>rID: 29199
↑ Halvorsen RA, Thompson WM (1986). “Ascites or pleural effusion? CT and ultrasound differentiation”. Crit Rev Diagn Imaging. 26 (3): 201–40. PMID 3536306.

Overview