Ascites

AscitesAscites is defined as a pathological accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity (peritoneum). Cause of ascites is always the escape of fluid from blood vessels into the abdominal cavity.We distinguish the followingcauses and types of ascites:

non-inflammatory ascites: transudate in portal hypertension (eg liver cirrhosis), heart failure, lowered colloid osmotic pressure (hypoalbuminemia, nephrotic syndrome), exudative enteropathy, gastric cancer, colon cancer, peritoneal cancer

inflammatory ascites: exudate (when inflamed)

hemorrhagic ascites: in tuberculous peritonitis, peritoneal cancer, after rupture of a vessel (hemorrhage into the abdominal cavity)

chylous ascites: leakage of lymph fluid because of an abnormal passage of fluid in the thoracic duct