[Echographic diagnosis of peritoneal metastases in patients with ascites]

A prospective study of 14 malignant ascites examined with high frequency ultrasonic probes enabled he authors to achieve a diagnosis of peritoneal metastases in 78% of cases. Peritoneal metastases appear as areas of peritoneal thickening or scalloping, as nodules, with sometimes a strong bulging, and as intestinal masses. Soft part ultrasound should be employed systematically in the diagnosis and follow up of malignant ascites.