Ascitic Fluid Examination for Malignant Cells Test Cost & Procedure

When there is a strong clinical suspicion of cancer, ascitic fluid cytology should be utilised sparingly. In most cases, a conclusive diagnosis can be made using a complete morphological assessment in conjunction with good clinical data and linkage with other investigations.

What exactly is Familiar ascitic fluid?

• < 300 WBC/uL < 250 WBC/uL polymorphonuclear
• clear and pale yellow in hue

About 50 ml.

• RBC proteins are absent—less than 4.1 g/dL
• 70 to 100 mg/dL of glucose

A microscopic examination reveals the lack of germs, fungi, and cancerous cells.

• Negative for carcinoembryonic antigen
• 138 to 400 units/L of amylase
• For females, alkaline phosphatase ranges from 87 to 250 units/L, while for males, it ranges from 90 to 240 units/L.

What colour is the fluid in ascites?

Normal ascites fluid is clear and light yellow. Yet, when it is aberrant, it may be turbid, chylous, red, or green.

Each colour corresponds to a cause.

• The crimson ascitic fluid implies hemorrhagic pancreatitis, intra-abdominal bleeding, tumour infiltration, or trauma.
• The colour green denotes intestine perforation and gallbladder rupture.

Why is this examination suggested?

• While the average survival span for this patient population is only approximately 20 weeks after diagnosis, palliative therapies can enhance the quality of life.
• Choosing the best treatment option requires thorough consideration, which should consider the patient's life expectancy, potential dangers, and advantages.
• Conventional treatments, including diuretics, paracentesis, and peritoneovenous shunt insertion, are generally successful and effective.

Uses:

• Examining ascitic fluid might reveal infection symptoms and the underlying reason. An "ascitic tap" or "paracentesis" is the process of taking a fluid sample with a needle and syringe and sending it for analysis.
• It is carried out to examine fluid that has accumulated around the internal organs in the abdomen.
• The peritoneal space is the name of this region. The ailment is known as ascites.
• The procedure is also known as an abdominal tap or a paracentesis.

Preparation:

• To start, you must urinate to empty your bladder.
• Then, you must lie with your body angled 45–60 degrees.
• The lower abdomen might accumulate fluid due to this angle. After cleaning a tiny section of skin, the medical expert will implant a big needle with a tube or plastic sheath at one end.
• Fluid is then collected in the plastic tube once it is removed.
• A healthcare practitioner will clean and anaesthetise a tiny region of your abdomen before the test.
• To remove the ascitic fluid, a needle is injected through your skin into your stomach.
• Via the hand and through a tube that is attached to the end of the hand, a fluid sample is collected.
• After that, it is taken to a lab for analysis. When the needle is taken out, the skin region is wrapped.