Chylous Ascites: Evaluation and Management

Table 2

Characteristics of ascitic fluids in chylous ascites (adapted from Cárdenas 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.