Significance of Intrauterine Gas Demonstrated by Computed Tomography

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Abstract
The computed tomographic (CT) demonstration of gas in the parenchymal organs of the abdomen or in extraintestinal sites is a relatively specific sign of abdominal or pelvic abscess. However, the demonstration of intrauterine gas often indicates underlying neoplasm, rather than abscess. A retrospective review of 15 patients with intrauterine gas present on CT demonstrated that 10 had malignant uterine neoplasma, 2 had colonic carcinoma invading the uterus, and 3 were without neoplasm. Only 4 of 15 patients had evidence of serious uterine infections. The amount of gas did not reliably distinguish abscess from malignancy. Bacterial metabolism of necrotic neoplastic tissue is probably the major mechanism responsible for production of intrauterine gas in patients with uterine malignancy.

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