Utility Of Biochemical Markers For Differential Diagnosis Of Ascitic Fluid.

Dr. Maneesh Sulya; Dr. Ummed Singh Solanki

Volume : V, Issue : XI, November - 2015

Utility Of Biochemical Markers For Differential Diagnosis Of Ascitic Fluid.

Dr. Maneesh Sulya, Dr. Ummed Singh Solanki

Abstract :

  Ascites is the accumulation of free fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Differential diagnosis of ascites is a common clinical problem. Less expensive biochemical techniques are required to differentiate ascites with unknown etiology so we undertook this study to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of ascitic fluid cholesterol, serum ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) and serum ascites cholesterol gradients (SACG) in differentiating nontuberculous & non–malignant, tuberculous and malignant ascites and to confirm the results of previous studies. 100 patients (Group I 70 patients with hepatic cirrhosis and other non–tubercular and non neoplastic diseases, Group II 20 patients with tuberculosis and Group III 10 patients with malignancy) were evaluated for ascitic fluid total protein, albumin, cholesterol, SAAG and SACG. The mean value of SAAG was significantly higher in Gp. I patients when compared with Gp.II and Gp.III ascitIc patients. The mean ascitic fluid cholesterol was significantly higher in malignant ascites (Gp. III) when compared with Gp.I and Gp.II ascitIc patients. The mean SACG was significantly lower in malignant (Gp.III) compared to Gp.I and Gp.II ascitIc patients. SAAG is a better marker to differentiate cirrhotic ascites from tuberculous and malignant ascites. Ascitic fluid cholesterol and SACG are better markers to differentiate malignant ascites from cirrhotic and tuberculous ascites.