What is the Difference Between Ascites and Ovarian Cyst

The key difference between ascites and ovarian cyst is that ascites is a condition in which fluid collects in spaces within the abdomen while ovarian cyst is a condition due to the formation of a fluid-filled sac in the ovary.

Ascites and ovarian cysts are two conditions due to fluid accumulation. Both these conditions can cause abdominal distension and abdominal pain. These conditions can also result in complications like bleeding. However, both conditions are different and have different aetiologies.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Ascites 
3. What is an Ovarian Cyst
4. Similarities – Ascites and Ovarian Cyst
5. Ascites vs. Ovarian Cyst in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Ascites and Ovarian Cyst
7. Summary – Ascites vs. Ovarian Cyst

What is Ascites?

Ascites is a condition due to the build-up of fluid in the spaces between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal organs. Ascites are caused by high blood pressure in certain veins of the liver and low blood levels of a protein called albumin due to conditions like cirrhosis, heart failure, infection, and cancer.  Moreover, symptoms of this condition may include swelling in the ankles, shortness of breath, bloating, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, indigestion, constipation, back pain, difficulty sitting, and fatigue. The conditions that increase the risk of ascites include hepatitis, alcohol use disorder, genetic liver diseases like hemochromatosis, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, cancers, and infections.

Ascites can be diagnosed through physical examination, ultrasound, CT scan, and paracentesis. Furthermore, treatment options for ascites may include limiting sodium in the diet, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and surgeries like transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).

What is an Ovarian Cyst?

An ovarian cyst is a condition due to the formation of a sac filled with fluid on or inside the ovary. Ovarian cysts can be caused by ovulation, abnormal cell production, endometriosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Moreover, the signs and symptoms of ovarian cysts may include pelvic pain, a feeling of fullness, pain during intercourse, and painful periods. The risk factors for ovarian cysts may include hormonal problems, pregnancy, endometriosis, severe pelvic infection, and previous ovarian cysts.

Ovarian cysts can be diagnosed through pregnancy tests, pelvic ultrasound, laparoscopy, and tumor marker tests. Furthermore, treatment options for ovarian cysts may include medicine (hormonal contraceptive) and surgery (cystectomy and oophorectomy).

What are the Similarities Between Ascites and Ovarian Cyst?

• Ascites and ovarian cysts are two conditions due to fluid accumulation.
• Both these conditions can cause abdominal distension and abdominal pain.
• They can be diagnosed through imaging tests such as ultrasound.
• They can be treated through specific surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Ascites and Ovarian Cyst?

Ascites is a condition in which fluid collects in spaces within the abdomen, while ovarian cyst is a condition that is due to the formation of fluid fluid-filled sac in the ovary. Thus, this is the key difference between ascites and ovarian cyst. Furthermore, risk factors for ascites are conditions such as hepatitis, alcohol use disorder, autoimmune hepatitis, genetic liver diseases like hemochromatosis, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, cancers, and infections. On the other hand, the risk factors for ovarian cysts are hormonal problems, pregnancy, endometriosis, severe pelvic infection, and previous ovarian cysts.

The infographic below presents the differences between ascites and ovarian cyst in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

FAQ: Ascites and Ovarian Cyst

What is the best medicine for ascites?

The most commonly used diuretics for ascites are Furosemide (Lasix) and Spironolactone (Aldactone).

Can ascites go away naturally?

Ascites may go away with a low-salt diet, and by taking diuretics.

What is the best position to sleep in with ascites?

Resting in a reclined position with the feet up lowers pressure on the internal organs, improves blood flow, and helps drain the fluids.

Summary – Ascites vs. Ovarian Cyst

Ascites and ovarian cysts are two conditions due to fluid accumulation. Both these conditions can cause similar symptoms, such as abdominal distension and abdominal pain. In ascites, fluid collects in spaces within the abdomen, while in ovarian cysts, a fluid-filled sac is formed in the ovary. Ascites is more common in people who suffer from cirrhosis, whereas ovarian cyst is more common in women who are in childbearing years. So, this summarizes the difference between ascites and ovarian cyst.

Reference:

1. “Ascites: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.” WebMD.
2.“Ovarian Cysts.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Image Courtesy:

1. “HRS and ascites pathophysiology” By Samir at en.Wikipedia (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Benign Ovarian Cyst” By Ed Uthman (CC BY 2.0 DEED) via Flickr