Paracolic Gutter Ultrasound

What are the paracolic gutters rectouterine pouch retroperitoneal space ulnar gutter subphrenic space abdominal wall hepatic flexure peritoneal space ascendi.

Paracolic gutter ultrasound.

It is also known as sulci paracolic and paracolic recesses. Both paracolic spaces are in continuity with the pelvic peritoneal spaces. Abdominal case of the week cardiac ivc miscellaneous highlights procedure highlights lung ob gyn trauma soft tissue vascular msk. Etiologically it means a channel adjacent to the abdominal wall.

Fluid may sit within the peritoneal space or paracolic gutters or may be interposed between bowel loops or around solid organs e g. Blood in the peritoneal cavity from trauma is often first seen in the right paracolic gutter at the inferior tip of the liver. The left paracolic gutter is a component of the left inframesocolic space partially separated from the left subphrenic spaces by the phrenicocolic ligament. There is a multi cystic mass extending from the pelvis along the right paracolic gutter to the upper abdomen.

In a male patient this is a very uncommon diagnosis. The main paracolic gutter lies lateral to the colon on each side. Ultrasound is variably sensitive depending on the size of the patient and the operator. The right and left paracolic gutters are peritoneal recesses on the posterior abdominal wall lying alongside the ascending and descending colon.

Ultrasound images clips appendicitis with perforation. A less obvious medial paracolic gutter may be formed especially on the right side if the colon. Ultrasound is the diagnostic modality of choice for the initial screening of unstable blunt trauma patients for peritoneal free fluid. In this section ultrasound ultrasound education faculty image of the fortnight toggle section.

It is smaller than the right paracolic gutter. Pus in the paracolic gutter and in douglas pouch and debris filled bladder. Between the outer wall of the colon and back side of the abdominal wall there is an open space known as the paracolic gutter. In thin patients relatively small volume of fluid can be found.

Ultrasound or mr depict these septations better than ct.