Paracolic Gutter Ultrasound

In thin patients relatively small volume of fluid can be found.

Paracolic gutter ultrasound.

The left medial paracolic gutter. Ultrasound is the diagnostic modality of choice for the initial screening of unstable blunt trauma patients for peritoneal free fluid. It is also known as sulci paracolic and paracolic recesses. A less obvious medial paracolic gutter may be formed especially on the right side if the colon.

Both paracolic spaces are in continuity with the pelvic peritoneal spaces. 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. It is smaller than the right paracolic gutter.

The right and left paracolic gutters are peritoneal recesses on the posterior abdominal wall lying alongside the ascending and descending colon. 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. What are the paracolic gutters rectouterine pouch retroperitoneal space ulnar gutter subphrenic space abdominal wall hepatic flexure peritoneal space ascendi.

Etiologically it means a channel adjacent to the abdominal wall. It is the depression between the postero lateral wall of the abdomen and the lateral margins of the ascending and descending colon. The main paracolic gutter lies lateral to the colon on each side. Ultrasound images clips appendicitis with perforation.

Fluid may sit within the peritoneal space or paracolic gutters or may be interposed between bowel loops or around solid organs e g. Ultrasound or mr depict these septations better than ct. Your fast exam is incomplete if you do not visualize this area. 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.