The Analysis of Ascitic Fluid for the Differentiation of Malignant and Nonmalignant Ascites

Authors: Neşet Nuri GÖNÜLLÜ, Nuh Zafer CANTÜRK, Nihat Zafer UTKAN, Mustafa DÜLGER

Abstract: We investigated the efficacy of protein and other laboratory tests in the differential diagnosis of malignant and nonmalignant ascites. The mean total protein, albumin, cholesterol and Lactic Dehydrogenase (LDH) in malignant ascites was found to be greater than in nonmalignant ascites (p On the basis of the data presented, we concluded that the ascitic cholesterol level and albumin gradient are important diagnostic criteria, and we suggest that these two parameters be used to fine-tune diagnostic accuracy in the differential diagnosis of ascitic fluid.

Keywords: Malignant ascites, differential diagnosis, albumin, cholesterol.