23rd July 2023

A 67-year-old woman presents with abdominal swelling. This has come on gradually over the last three months

A 67-year-old woman presents with abdominal swelling. This has come on gradually over the last three months or so, and during this time, her weight has increased. However, she tells you that before the swelling started, she had noticed she was losing weight and had been having trouble with constipation.

She is an ex-smoker with a 25-pack-year history, she denies any recreational drug use, and she currently drinks a bottle of wine over the course of a week.

Clinically she has ascites. Therefore, you perform a diagnostic paracentesis as part of your investigations.

What would indicate that portal hypertension is involved in ascites formation?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.