Diagnosing ascites: the value of abdominal paracentesis
Babb, R.R.
Postgraduate Medicine 63(5): 219-223
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0032-5481 PMID: 643770 Document Number: 136484
Abdominal paracentesis is a useful and safe technique in the evaluation of ascites. The withdrawn ascitic fluid should be routinely analyzed for appearance, blood cell count, and amylase and total protein concentrations; examined cytologically; and cultured. Results should either substantiate the clinical diagnosis or alert the clinician to the presence of previously unsuspected disease.