Skip to main content
. 2014 Feb 3;2014:240473. doi: 10.1155/2014/240473

Table 2.

Characteristics of ascitic fluids in chylous ascites (adapted from Ca´rdenas and Chopra) [1].

Color Milky and cloudy
Triglyceride level Above 200 mg/dL
Cell count Above 500 (lymphocytic predominance)
Total protein Between 2.5 and 7.0 g/dL
SAAG Below 1.1 g/dL∗
Cholesterol Low (ascites/serum ratio < 1)
Lactate dehydrogenase Between 110 and 200 IU/L
Culture Positive in selected cases of tuberculosis
Cytology Positive in malignancy
Amylase Elevated in cases of pancreatitis
Glucose Below 100 mg/dL

IU: international units; SAAG: serum-ascites albumin gradient.

∗Is elevated above 1.1 g/dL in CA secondary to cirrhosis.