Early clinical experience with direct peritoneal enhancement for abdominal computed tomography

Improved visualization of the peritoneal cavity and its contents has recently become possible by performing abdominal paracentesis and intraperitoneal infusion of 7-15% meglumine diatrizoate prior to abdominal CT. Enhanced morphologic detail has been demonstrated in cadavers and prompted us to study a select group of patients with known or suspected abdominal masses. Case material is presented demonstrating the applicability of this technique in: localizing masses to the intra or extraperitoneal space; detecting tumor implants on the solid viscera and peritoneum; distinguishing between masses and adjacent viscera excluding invasion; defining the mural thickness of the hollow viscera; and illustrating normal CT anatomy. The indications and limitations of the technique are discussed.