Left Paracolic Gutter Fluid

The left paracolic gutter is larger than the right which together with the partial barrier provided by the phrenicocolic ligament also known as hensing s ligament may explain why left subphrenic collections are more common than right subphrenic collections 1.

Left paracolic gutter fluid.

Fluid may sit within the peritoneal space or paracolic gutters or may be interposed between bowel loops or around solid organs e g. The left medial paracolic gutter. Fluid in the pelvis may ascend the left paracolic gutter 5 but is stopped by the phrenicocolic ligament pcl. Left paracolic gutter inferior to spleen.

Infected peritoneal fluids get a passageway through these gutters to other compartments of the abdominal cavity. Pseudocysts should be differentiated from lesser sac fluid collections which envelop the left gastric artery arrow or displace it to the right. Fluid on ct is relatively hypodense dark on ct. The right paracolic gutter is continuous with the perisplenic space or area around the spleen.

The left paracolic gutter runs between the descending colon and the abdominal wall and empties into the lower abdomen and pelvic area. The right and left paracolic gutters are peritoneal recesses on the posterior abdominal wall lying alongside the ascending and descending colon. 32 had free fluid in luq. Pathologic fluid can pass between the supracolic and infracolic compartments via the paracolic gutters the peritoneal spaces lateral to the ascending and descending colon.

6 or 6 if you re a math whiz had isolated luq free fluid 86 5 of 6 had isolated splenic injury the other had renal lac liver lac and ivc injury. It can be compared to fluid in the gallbladder or stomach. In a supine position gravity causes fluid in the upper abdomen to flow from the left upper quadrant and right paracolic gutter into the right upper quadrant. There are two paracolic gutters.

The left gutter runs between the descending colon and the abdominal wall and just like the right gutter empties into the lower abdomen and pelvic area. 1 in subphrenic space. The right lateral paracolic gutter. 4 in paracolic gutter.

The right and left paracolic gutter are connected to subphrenic spaces proximally and to the pelvic area at the distal end. Paracolic gutters refer to open areas between the wall of the abdomen and the colon. A hepatic pseudocyst displaces the left gastric artery to the left. Dense fluid may suggest hemoperitoneum especially in the context of trauma.

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