The Rational Clinical Examination
David L. Simel, Drummond Rennie
Ascites
David L. Simel, Rose Hatala, David Edelman
Make the Diagnosis: Ascites
Topics Discussed:
ascites, criterion standard comparisons (diagnostic tests), make the diagnosis, prior probability
Excerpt:
"During the general physical examination, patients should not be evaluated for ascites. When it is important to detect smaller amounts of
peritoneal fluid, radiologic images will be necessary because the
clinical examination will not be useful, which is especially important
when evaluating for abdominal malignancies or for patients with
blunt abdominal trauma.The prevalence of ascites in an unselected population is low,
likely on the order of less than 1% (expert opinion)...."
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