Computed tomography ct is particularly.
Paracolic gutter fluid ct.
It is the depression between the postero lateral wall of the abdomen and the lateral margins of the ascending and descending colon.
The paracolic gutters paracolic sulci paracolic recesses are spaces between the colon and the abdominal wall.
It is also known as sulci paracolic and paracolic recesses.
The ascending colon a is displaced anteriorly and ascites arrowhead is seen in the right paracolic gutter.
Between the outer wall of the colon and back side of the abdominal wall there is an open space known as the paracolic gutter.
B ct scan of the pelvis shows that the bowel loops of the oral aspect of the intestine are dilated arrowhead and the bowel loops of the anal aspect are collapsed arrow.
Ascites is well demonstrated by ct.
Fluid on ct is relatively hypodense dark on ct.
Fluid from the stomach duodenum or gallbladder may run down the gutter to collect in the right iliac fossa or pelvis and may mimic acute appendicitis or form a pelvic abscess.
This drainage occurs in much the same way that the gutters on a house draw the rain off the roof.
Etiologically it means a channel adjacent to the abdominal wall.
The main paracolic gutter lies lateral to the colon on each side.
General ct findings of early and late stage pid include thickening of the uterosacral ligaments pelvic fat stranding with obscuration of fascial planes reactive lymphadenopathy and pelvic free fluid.
Given the nonspecific clinical manifestations computed tomography ct is commonly the first imaging examination performed.
Fluid may sit within the peritoneal space or paracolic gutters or may be interposed between bowel loops or around solid organs e g.
It can be compared to fluid in the gallbladder or stomach.
Paracolic gutters function to drain fluid that leaks from the colon such as infectious matter pus or bile and to prevent infection or damage to the outer margin of the colon.
When larger amounts of ascites are present the fluid accumulates in the paracolic gutters causing progressive centralization of bowel loops.
The inframesocolic space also contains paracolic gutters which are peritoneal recesses that are inferolateral extensions of their corresponding inframesocolic spaces on the posterior abdominal wall lateral to the ascending and descending colon respectively.
Dense fluid may suggest hemoperitoneum especially in the context of trauma.
Small amounts of ascitic fluid localize in the right perihepatic space the posterior subhepatic space i e morison s pouch and the pouch of douglas.
