Fluid wave

Palpable transmission of a fluid impulse across the abdomen, elicited by tapping one flank while stabilizing the abdominal wall and detecting a transmitted wave on the opposite flank, indicating significant intraperitoneal free fluid (ascites).

Causes

• Liverfailure

• Heart failure

• Kidney failure

• Malignancy

  • Ovarian cancer

  • Pancreatic cancer

  • Colon cancer

  • Stomach cancer

  • Peritoneal carcinomatosis from other tumors

• Inflammatory and infectious causes

  • Pancreatitis

  • Tuberculosis (tuberculous peritonitis)

• Protein deficiency states

  • Hypoalbuminemia

  • Severe malnutrition

  • Protein-losing conditions

• Other causes

  • Portal hypertension from non-cirrhotic causes

  • Peritoneal inflammation or increased vascular permeability

  • Post-surgical or traumatic accumulation of intraperitoneal fluid