Ascites and pericardial fluid may share features on echocardiography but can be distinguished by certain findings.
Causes of an echo-free space about the heart:
(1) pericardial effusion
(2) pericardial cyst
(3) pleural effusion
(4) ascites
|
Location of Ascites
|
Distinguishing Feature
|
|
anterior to the right ventricle
|
the presence of the falciform ligament running across the space, best seen on the subdiaphragmatic view on transthoracic echocardiography
|
|
below the left ventricle and delimited by an enlarged spleen (posterior)
|
parasternal short-axis 2-D view
|
