CT of the mesentery, omentum, and peritoneum in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Radiology
• Abdominal Imaging
• Gastrointestinal Pathology

Background:

• Primary abnormalities of the peritoneum are uncommon in pediatric patients.
• The peritoneum, mesentery, and omentum are frequently involved secondarily by infectious, neoplastic, or traumatic conditions originating elsewhere in the abdomen or pelvis.
• Computed tomography (CT) is the primary imaging modality for evaluating complex abdominal and pelvic pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the spectrum of abnormalities affecting the peritoneal cavity, mesentery, and omentum in children.
• To correlate these abnormalities with their characteristic CT appearances.
• To emphasize the importance of recognizing these CT findings for accurate diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Review of pediatric cases with peritoneal, mesenteric, or omental abnormalities.
• Analysis of CT findings associated with various conditions.
• Correlation of imaging findings with clinical and pathological data.

Main Results:

• Common peritoneal abnormalities include fluid, pneumoperitoneum, hemoperitoneum, abscesses, peritonitis, metastases, and organ injury.
• Mesenteric and omental abnormalities encompass fat infiltration, lymphadenitis, malrotation, herniation, infections, malignancies, and injury.
• CT effectively demonstrates these diverse abnormalities.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive understanding of peritoneal, mesenteric, and omental abnormalities and their CT manifestations is vital for pediatric abdominal diagnosis.
• CT imaging plays a critical role in identifying and characterizing secondary involvement of these structures.
• Accurate interpretation of CT findings aids in timely and appropriate management of pediatric abdominal conditions.