title: Multidetector CT appearance of the pelvis after cesarean delivery: normal and abnormal acute findings.
abstract: Cesarean section (CS) may have several acute complications that can occur in the early postoperative period. The most common acute complications are hematomas and hemorrhage, infection, ovarian vein thrombosis, uterine dehiscence and rupture. Pelvic hematomas usually occur at specific sites and include bladder flap hematoma (between the lower uterine segment and the bladder) and subfascial or rectus sheath hematoma (rectus sheath or prevescical space). Puerperal hemorrhage can be associated with uterine dehiscence or rupture. Pelvic infections include endometritis, abscess, wound infection, and retained product of conception. Radiologists play an important role in the diagnosis and management of postoperative complications as a result of increasing use of multidetector CT in emergency room. The knowledge of normal and abnormal postsurgical anatomy and findings should facilitate the correct diagnosis so that the best management can be chosen for the patient, avoiding unnecessary surgical interventions and additional treatments. In this article we review the surgical cesarean technique and imaging CT technique followed by description of normal and abnormal post-CS CT findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological Sciences, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Agostino Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy. benedetta.gui@policlinicogemelli.it.
authors.forename: Benedetta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gui
authors.forename: Francesco Maria
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Danza
authors.forename: Anna Lia
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Valentini
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Laino
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: Brigida
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carducci
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rodolfino
authors.forename: Ersilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Devicienti
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonomo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*