Diagnosis of ascites.

To determine the diagnostic significance of physical and biochemical studies, ascitic fluid (AF) of patients with cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, congestive cardiac failure, abdominal malignancy and tuberculous peritonitis was examined. AF was colourless transudate in cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome and congestive cardiac failure. Lowest values for proteins were observed in nephrotic syndrome and glucose in cirrhosis. AF level of chorides were highest in cirrhosis. Cell count was below 200 cmm in these disorders but lymphocyte count was low in nephrotics. In malignancy AF was haemorrhagic and in tuberculous peritonitis, yellow to milky white. It was exudate, specific gravity varied from 1018-1022. Total leucocyte and lymphocyte count, total proteins, alpha , alphs2 and gamma globulin were high and AF glucose and chlorides were low in tuberculous ascites. In malignancy AF glucose was significantly elevated and alpha 2 globulin was high (JPMA 31:282, 1981).