title: Sterile mediastinal gas mimicking abscess in aortic aneurysm repair.
abstract: Six weeks after aortic aneurysm repair, computed tomography (CT) showed mediastinal gas where absorbable gelatin sponge (Gelfoam) was used. A leukocyte scan labeled with indium 111, however, was normal and surgical exploration showed no infection. Sterile gas collections may be seen following absorbable gelatin sponge use many weeks after surgery and 111In-labeled leukocyte scanning may be a useful differential test.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Rockoff
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alyono
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000042:Absorption; D000328:Adult; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005740:Gases; D005781:Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D007962:Leukocytes; D008297:Male; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes