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
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Distinguishing Feature
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anterior to the right ventricle
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the presence of the falciform ligament running across the space, best seen on the subdiaphragmatic view on transthoracic echocardiography
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below the left ventricle and delimited by an enlarged spleen (posterior)
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parasternal short-axis 2-D view
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