CT scan of mesentery-omentum peritoneum

The peritoneal cavity and its specialized folds, the mesentery and omentum, are often involved in infectious, neoplastic, and traumatic conditions. Abnormalities in the development of these structures may also result in pathologic conditions. CT scans are often the modality of choice for evaluation of many of these entities. The following discussion reviews the normal anatomy and the CT features of disease processes that involve the peritoneal cavity, mesentery, and omentum in children. Identification and characterization of these pathologic conditions depend on knowledge of the normal appearance of the peritoneal cavity and its specialized folds and familiarity with the anatomic pathways for spread of disease.