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Chylous Ascites: Reassessment of Diagnostic Criteria in Patients With Portal Hypertension
Caroline L Matchett1, Puru Rattan2, Joseph P McConnell3
1Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Introduction:
The triglyceride (TG) threshold for diagnosis of chylous ascites in patients with portal hypertension remains uncertain.
Methods:
Retrospective analysis of lipoprotein electrophoresis was conducted in 286 consecutive ascites samples.
Results:
Ascitic TG ≥ 81 mg/dL is 95.4% sensitive and 94.6% specific for chylous ascites diagnosed by the presence of significant chylomicron population.
Discussion:
The cutoff for chylous ascites diagnosis should be TG ≥ 81 mg/dL.
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