Paracolic Gutters Radiology

Fluid in the right paracolic gutter which structure represents the main communication between the upper and lower abdominal compartments reaches morison s pouch and subsequently the right subphrenic space.

Paracolic gutters radiology.

The left lateral paracolic gutter. 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. It is also known as sulci paracolic and paracolic recesses. There is a multi cystic mass extending from the pelvis along the right paracolic gutter to the upper abdomen.

Thus centrally located triangular areas of high attenuation abdominal fluid should prompt a search for intraperitoneal bowel or mesenteric injury 7 8. On the left its cephalad extent is limited by the phrenicocolic ligament. The paracolic gutters paracolic sulci paracolic recesses are spaces between the colon and the abdominal wall. The right lateral paracolic gutter.

The paracolic gutters paracolic sulci paracolic recesses are spaces between the colon and the abdominal wall. 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. In a male. This is discussed more fully in chapter 108.

Pathologic fluid can pass between the supracolic and infracolic compartments via the paracolic gutters the peritoneal spaces lateral to the ascending and descending colon. Fluid may sit within the peritoneal space or paracolic gutters or may be interposed between bowel loops or around solid organs e g. The paracolic spaces gutters are located lateral to the peritoneal reflections of the left and right sides of the colon fig 8a. Chief gastrointestinal radiology department of radiologic pathology armed forces institute of pathology washington dc associate professor of radiology uniformed services university of the health sciences bethesda md.

Liver or splenic hemorrhage more typically descends peripherally along the paracolic gutters into the pelvis and is not entrapped in interloop spaces. Related radiopaedia articles medical student radiology curriculum. There are two paracolic gutters.