Fluid In The Left Paracolic Gutter

Dense fluid may suggest hemoperitoneum especially in the context of trauma.

Fluid in the left paracolic gutter. The paracolic gutter is associated with a subphrenic abscess. In a supine position gravity causes fluid in the upper abdomen to flow from the left upper quadrant and right paracolic gutter into the right upper quadrant. Fluid on ct is relatively hypodense dark on ct. The main paracolic gutter lies lateral to the colon on each side.

Fluid in the left inframesocolic space 3 seeks the pelvis directly or is deposited on the superior aspect of the sigmoid mesocolon and then flows into the pelvis 4. Infected peritoneal fluids get a passageway through these gutters to other compartments of the abdominal cavity. The left medial paracolic gutter. The right and left paracolic gutters are peritoneal recesses on the posterior abdominal wall lying alongside the ascending and descending colon.

Pathologic fluid can pass between the supracolic and infracolic compartments via the paracolic gutters the peritoneal spaces lateral to the ascending and descending colon. There are really three places where free fluid can potentially collect in the left upper quadrant the subphrenic space between spleen and diaphragm splenorenal recess between spleen and kidney and left paracolic gutter inferior to spleen. Drainage in patients lying down can be reversed with infectious material from an infected appendix located near the cecum running up the right paracolic gutter. Fluid may sit within the peritoneal space or paracolic gutters or may be interposed between bowel loops or around solid organs e g.

Presence of large amounts of free intraperitoneal fluid in the distal aspect of the left paracolic gutter. Paracolic gutters information including symptoms causes diseases symptoms treatments and other medical and health issues. In the abdominal cavity fluid leaches from the colon into either the left or the right lateral gutter and then drains down the gutter into the pelvic area. The main paracolic gutter lies lateral to the colon on each side.

Fluid in the pelvis may ascend the left paracolic gutter 5 but is stopped by the phrenicocolic ligament pcl. A less obvious medial paracolic gutter may be formed especially on the right side if the colon. The right and left paracolic gutters are peritoneal recesses on the posterior abdominal wall lying alongside the ascending and descending colon. It can be compared to fluid in the gallbladder or stomach.