Woman with abdominal distention

Introduction An 86-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department after falling and being unable to get up. Her physical exam revealed massive abdominal distention and spider angiomata suspicious for possible ascites. Materials and methods The treating physician performed a bedside ultrasound that showed a discrete echogenic mass without evidence of ascites that was subsequently confirmed on computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis. Conclusion The utility of bedside ultrasound in the diagnostic evaluation of abdominal distention and possible ascites is discussed.