MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Ascites

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Ascites

Contents of this page:
Illustrations	Definition

Illustrations

Ascites with ovarian cancer, CT scan

Digestive system organs

Definition Return to top

Ascites is excess fluid in the space between the membranes lining the abdomen and abdominal organs (the peritoneal cavity). This is typically caused by liver disease.

Disorders that may be associated with ascites include:

cirrhosis
hepatitis
portal vein thrombosis (clots in the veins of the liver)
constrictive pericarditis
congestive heart failure
liver cancer
protein-losing enteropathy
nephrotic syndrome
pancreatitis

Update Date: 4/26/2003

Updated by: David Webner, M.D., Department of Family Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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