J Korean Radiol Soc.
1995 Jun;32(6):937-942.
Intraperitoneal Fluid Collection: CT Characteristics in Dertermining the Causes
Abstract
- PURPOSE
Abdominal CT scans in patients with intraperitoneal fluid were
retrospectively studied to identify characteristic features useful for differential
diagnosis of various causes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred and seventy patients with intraperitoneal
fluid collection were classified as categories of hepatic disease, carcinomatosis,
and infectious disease. We analyzed sites of fluid collection, the presence of
peritoneal thickening, omental and mesenteric fat infiltration, and lymph node
enlargment.
RESULTS
Intraperitoneal fluid was present in subhepatic space, subphrenic
space, paracolic gutter, mesentery, and fossa of the gallbladder in decreasing
order of frequency. Fluid in the gallbladder fossa was the most frequent in hepatic
diseases. The fluid collection in subhepatic and subphrenic space was less frequent
in infectious diseases. Peritoneal thickening was noted in infectious diseases,
and carcinomatosis. Omental fat infiltration and enlarged lymph nodes
were the most frequent in carcinomatosis (58% and 44%, respectively), whereas,
mesenteric fat infiltration and enlarged lymph nodes were the most common in
infectious diseases (61%, and 26%, respectively).
CONCLUSION
The location of peritoneal fluid collection showed some lesion
specific characteristics, and CT features of fat infiltration and enlarged lymph
nodes of peritoneum, omentum, and mesentery were helpful for differential diagnosis
between carcinomatosis and infectious diseases.