paracentesis

Term: paracentesisDefinition: A medical procedure involving the insertion of a needle or catheter into the abdominal cavity to remove fluid for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.Phonetic Pronunciation: (par-uh-sen-TEE-sis)Origin: The term "paracentesis" originates from the Greek words "para," meaning "beside," and "kentesis," meaning "puncture." It reflects the method of puncturing the abdominal wall to access the cavity.Significance in Asbestos Context: Paracentesis is significant in asbestos-related cases because it can be used to diagnose and manage conditions like pleural effusion or ascites, which may be associated with asbestos exposure. The procedure helps in assessing the presence of asbestos-related diseases by analyzing the fluid for biomarkers.Example Sentence: The doctor recommended paracentesis to investigate the pleural effusion in the patient with a history of asbestos exposure.Related Terms: pleural effusion, ascites, thoracentesis, biopsy, biomarkerNotes: - Paracentesis is generally safe but can have complications such as infection or bleeding. - It is important to differentiate between paracentesis and thoracentesis, which involves the chest cavity. - The procedure can be used both for diagnosis and to relieve symptoms by draining excess fluid.