title: Peritoneal computed tomography attenuation values reflect the severity of peritonitis caused by gastrointestinal perforations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the peritoneal computed tomography (CT) attenuation values and relate them to the severity of peritonitis in patients with gastrointestinal tract (GI) perforations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 56 consecutive patients with GI perforations who underwent CT scan and emergency laparotomy in our hospital were enrolled in this study. The CT attenuation values of the peritoneum were measured on a workstation by 2 independent investigators, and were investigated in relation to the severity of illness and hospital mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Peritoneal CT attenuation values in hospital nonsurvivors were significantly lower than those in survivors. There was significant negative correlation between peritoneal CT attenuation values and sequential organ failure assessment score, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score, and the Mannheim peritonitis index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The evaluation of peritoneal CT attenuation values in patients with peritonitis is simple and can be used for objective assessment of the severity of peritonitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan. tsujihi@ndmc.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hironori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsujimoto
authors.forename: Yoshihisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yaguchi
authors.forename: Shuichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hiraki
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.forename: Isao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kumano
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Kazumichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Hidekazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sugasawa
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ono
authors.forename: Junji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hase
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010439:Peptic Ulcer Perforation / Q000150:complications; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed