Distinguishing gelatin bioabsorbable sponge and postoperative abdominal abscess on CT.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of our study was to differentiate the CT findings of gelatin bioabsorbable sponges used as hemostatic agents from postoperative abdominal abscess.


CONCLUSIONS
Gelatin absorbable sponge may mimic a postoperative abscess on CT. Findings that may help differentiate the hemostatic agent from abscess include linear arrangement of tightly packed gas bubbles, fixed position of gas bubbles on subsequent examinations, shape, lack of air-fluid level, and lack of enhancing wall.
Sandrasegaran
Kumaresan
K
Department of Radiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 550 N University Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. ksandras@iupui.edu
Lall
Chandana
C
Rajesh
Arumugam
A
Maglinte
Dean T
DT
D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005781:Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media