Peritonitis CT

Peritonitis Main Page
Patient Information
Overview
Causes
Classification Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Secondary Peritonitis
Differential Diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shivani Chaparala M.B.B.S [2]

CT

• Contrast-enhanced CT is useful in identifying an intraabdominal source for infection.
• If the diagnosis of peritonitis is made clinically, a CT scan is not necessary and generally delays surgical intervention without offering clinical advantage.
• However, CT scanning is indicated in all cases in which the diagnosis cannot be established on clinical grounds and findings on abdominal plain films.
• CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis remain the diagnostic study of choice for peritoneal abscess and related visceral pathology.