Computed Tomography and Ultrasonography in the Evaluation of the Retroperitoneum in Patients with Malignant Ascites

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Abstract
The computed tomographic (CT) body scans of 59 patients and ultrasonograms of 31 patients, all with malignant disease [including pancreatic carcinoma, gastric carcinoma and ovarian carcinoma], were reviewed to determine the effect of ascites on the ability to image the retroperitoneum. In 95% of cases evaluated by CT, the retroperitoneal structures were well seen. In 35% of the cases evaluated by ultrasonography, the retroperitoneum was completely obscured by bowel gas and partially obscured in an additional 55%. As a result of this study, it is felt that CT should be the procedure of choice when a thorough evaluation of the retroperitoneum is necessary in patients with large amounts of abdominal ascites.