Pseudoascites: report of three cases.

Giant intra-abdominal cysts masquerading as ascites are rare. We present three cases with giant intra-abdominal cysts (one mesenteric cyst, two ovarian) that were initially misdiagnosed as refractory ascites in another hospital. On ultrasound examination, displacement of bowel loops to outside the fluid without dispersion of fluid around the liver and spleen were the main findings suggesting the possibility of giant intra-abdominal cysts in our patients. In all three patients, the diagnosis of giant intra-abdominal cysts was confirmed after their total excision. Clinicians must consider processes other than ascites in the differential diagnosis of large abdominal fluid accumulation.