J Korean Soc Radiol.  2014 Aug;71(2):69-74. 10.3348/jksr.2014.71.2.69.

Clinical Significance of a Small Amount of Isolated Pelvic Free Fluid at Multidetector CT in Male Patients after Curative Surgery for Gastric Carcinoma

• Cheon H
• Ryeom H
• Bae JH
• Jang YJ
• Kim GC
• Kim HJ
• Shin KM
• Chung HY

• KMID: 1819782
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2014.71.2.69

Abstract

PURPOSE
To determine the frequency and clinical significance of a small amount of isolated pelvic free fluid found at follow-up multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) in male patients who have undergone a curative surgery for gastric carcinoma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From January 2005 to June 2010, 1680 male patients were enrolled in this retrospective study that underwent a follow-up MDCT at least 6 months after a curative surgery for gastric carcinoma. The mean follow-up duration was 41 months. The computed tomographic assessment included the detection of ascites, any possible cause, volume and attenuation measurement and the determination of the location.
RESULTS
Of 1680 patients, 83 (4.9%) patients had ascites. Isolated ascites was identified in 66 patients (3.9%). All ascites were located below or at the level of the second sacral vertebral body. The mean volume and mean attenuation of isolated pelvic free fluid were 2.3 +/- 1.9 mL and 9.8 +/- 4.7 Hounsfield units. During the follow-up period, none of the 66 patients showed signs of peritoneal recurrence.
CONCLUSION
In 3.9% of male patients, a small amount of isolated pelvic free fluid was detected at the follow-up MDCT after a curative surgery for gastric carcinoma, but without clinical significance.

MeSH Terms

Ascites
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Multidetector Computed Tomography
Recurrence
Retrospective Studies

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Axial contrast-enhanced CT image of lower part of pelvis in 69-year-old man after gastrectomy with no evidence of tumor recurrence shows small amount of pelvic free fluid in presacral area (arrows), with attenuation of 11.0 Hounsfield units.

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  Fig. 2 Coronal contrast-enhanced CT image of lower part of pelvis in 68-year-old man after gastrectomy with no evidence of tumor recurrence shows small amount of pelvic free fluid (arrow) in deep pelvis with attenuation of 13 Hounsfield units.

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