Radiologic and sonographic evaluation of intra-abdominal abscesses in a Nigerian population

A prospective study to evaluate the radiologic and sonographic features of intraabdominal abscesses in a mixed Nigerian population was undertaken. 30 patients with suspected abscesses were studied and a total of 70 abdominal abscess sites were confirmed at surgery or during autopsy in 22 patients. The more common abscess sites were the paracolic and pelvic areas. Typhoid enteritis, perforated duodenal ulcer and septicaemia were the aetiological factors in 54%, 13.6% and 13.6% respectively. The more common radiological feature was that of extraluminal gas vesicles and relatively echo free collections were identified during ultrasound. Poor prognosis was associated with typhoid enteritis, multiple abscess sites and acute renal failure.