Ascitic fluid cholesterol in differential diagnosis of ascites

J Assoc Physicians India. 1993 Oct;41(10):644-6.

Abstract

Cholesterol was estimated in ascitic fluid of 89 patients (29 malignant and 60 non-malignant ascites). Mean ascitic cholesterol level was significantly higher in malignant ascites (89.52 mg/dl) as compared to non-malignant ascites (29.93 mg/dl). At a cut off value of 48 mg/dl, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and overall diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing malignant ascites is 96.5%, 96.6%, 93.3%, 98.3% and 96.6% respectively. Ascitic fluid cholesterol estimation is an easy and reliable test for differentiating malignant ascites from non-malignant ascites.

MeSH terms

  • Ascites / diagnosis*
  • Ascites / etiology
  • Ascites / metabolism
  • Cholesterol / analysis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Cholesterol