PANCREATIC ASCITES

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 71  (2) , 186-192
Abstract
Ascites occurring in patients with a history of alcoholism is usually due to cirrhosis but clinically significant ascites also occurs in association with pancreatic disease. Cases [265] of pancreatitis were reviewed over a 5 yr period. There were 129 blacks and 136 Caucasians. Ages ranged from 19-86 yr with a mean of 46.2 yr. Of these cases (3%) 8 had pancreatic ascites. The initial serum and urinary amylase had no prognostic value regarding the subsequent development of pancreatic ascites. The mean ascitic fluid amylase was 14,426 Somogyi units (range 1279-67,774). The mean protein concentration in the ascitic fluid are characteristic of pancreatic ascites. Out of 8 cases, 2 were associated with a pseudocyst, 3 with hemorrhagic pancreatitis and 3 with acute edematous pancreatitis. Four of the 8 (50%) died. Pancreatic ascites is a distinct clinical entity which should be differentiated from cirrhotic, tuberculous or malignant ascites.

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