title: Distinguishing gelatin bioabsorbable sponge and postoperative abdominal abscess on CT.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 550 N University Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. ksandras@iupui.edu
authors.forename: Kumaresan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sandrasegaran
authors.forename: Chandana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lall
authors.forename: Arumugam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rajesh
authors.forename: Dean T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Maglinte
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media