[Biochemical examination of ascitic fluid in relation to malignant or benign etiology]

Routine cytological examination of ascitic fluid for presence of malignant cells is employed in the investigation of patients with ascites formation of unknown origin. Cytological examination of ascitic fluid from this group of patients is characterized by high specificity but low sensitivity. Attempts have therefore been made to find suitable simple biochemical examinations of ascitic fluid to supplement the cytological investigation. In a patient population in which benign liver disease and malignant intraabdominal disease are frequent, determinations of the albumin gradient, fibronectin concentration or total cholesterol concentration appear to be suitable supplements to the cytological examination.