The uric acid level, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum and ascites were determined in 11benign diseases and 18 malignant diseases with ascites. The results obtained were as follows.1) 91 per cent of 11 benign diseases showed higher uric acid levels in serum than in ascites. On the other hand,89 per cent of 18 malignant diseases showed higher uric acid levels in ascites than in serum. Uric acid levels below 6.0 mg/dl in both serum and ascites were almost totally in benign diseases. Uric acid levels above 8.0 mg/dl in both serum and ascites were supposed to be malignant.2) Concerning the CEA levels,100 per cent of benign diseases showed higher level in serum than in ascites. On the other hand,61 per cent of 18 malignant diseases showed higher level in ascites than in serum. Both liver cirrhosis and hepatic cancer were higher CEA level in serum than in ascites, and so differential diagnosis was difficult by means of the measurement of CEA levels in serum and ascites.3) Concerning the LDH levels,100 per cent of benign diseases showed higher level in serum than in ascites. On the other hand,22 per cent of malignant diseases showed higher level in ascites than in serum. The above results suggest that the measurement of uric acid levels in both serum and ascites was very useful in order to make the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant diseases with ascites.
