[Evaluation and significance of cholesterol containing abdominal fluid].

In 2 female patients with clinical suspicion of malignant abdominal tumor "ascitic" fluid obtained by abdominal paracentesis, was found to contain an abundant amount of cholesterol. Laparotomy revealed huge, benign ovarian mucinous cystadenomas. The cytological diagnosis of cholesterol-containing cystic fluid is discussed. Cholesterol-containing cystic fluid is discussed. Cholesterol-containing cystic fluids can be differentiated cytologocally from serous and chylous effusions, and also from cholesterol pleurisy and cholesterol peritonitis.