Peritoneal Fluid Analysis
The serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) is the most useful index for evaluating peritoneal fluid and can help distinguish ascites caused by portal hypertension (cirrhosis, portal vein thrombosis, Budd-Chiari syndrome, etc) from other causes of ascites. SAAG is calculated by subtracting the albumin measure of ascitic fluid from the serum value. In portal hypertension, the SAAG is >1.1 g/dL while ascites from other causes shows a SAAG of less than 1.1 g/dL.
Peritoneal fluid microscopy is a useful test in evaluating the cause of ascites. A diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) is considered positive if any of the following are present 1. >15 mL gross blood 2. RBCs >100,000/mL 3. WBCs >500/mL 4. Bacteria present on Gram Stain
Bacteria and white blood cells, when present in a patient with a history of ascites (usually due to cirrhosis) is highly suggestive of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.
Read more about this topic: Peritoneal Fluid
Famous quotes containing the words fluid and/or analysis:
“There are no fixtures in nature. The universe is fluid and volatile. Permanence is but a word of degrees. Our globe seen by God is a transparent law, not a mass of facts. The law dissolves the fact and holds it fluid.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“A commodity appears at first sight an extremely obvious, trivial thing. But its analysis brings out that it is a very strange thing, abounding in metaphysical subtleties and theological niceties.”
—Karl Marx (1818–1883)