Evaluation of 100 cases of ascites.

This has been a descriptive cross sectional study on 100 consecutive adult cases of ascites. They were studied regarding the incidence of underlying causes, variable clinical presentations and the co-relation of investigations with clinical features during the period of September, 2006 to August, 2007 in Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, Barisal, Bangladesh. Diagnosis of ascites was based on history, clinical examination & USG examination. Among the 100 cases, male were 68 & female were 32, age range was 13-61 years. Causes of ascites were cirrhosis of liver 68%, tubercular peritonitis 9%, hepatocellular carcinoma 8%, congestive cardiac failure 6%, malignancy 4%, nephrotic syndrome 3%, lymphoma 2% and others 4%. Cirrhosis of liver is the major cause of ascites in our study. Many of the patients with cirrhosis & hepatocellular carcinoma were positive for HBsAg & anti HCV implying that hepatitis B & C viruses play a positive role in this condition.