Ascities

Abnormal free fluid within the peritoneal cavity

Transudate:

• Hydrostatic: cirrhosis, right heart failure, Budd-chiari (hepatic vein obstruction)
• Oncotic: loss of protein (starvation, liver failure, nephritic/nephrotic syndrome)

Exudate: 

• Inflammatory: peritonitis, pancreatitis, malignancy