Abstract:
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Purpose: To evaluate the pelvic extraperitoneal compartments and communications with abdominal retroperitoneal spaces.
Methods and Materials: Helical CT was used to image the abdomen and pelvis after injection of 800mL of dilute(1 in 25) contrast medium and 5mls methylene-blue into prevesical, perivesical and perirectal spaces in 8 embalmed cadavers. CT parameters included; axial imaging, 3mm slice thickness, pitch 2, mAs 240, kVp 120, allowing sagittal and coronal reconstruction. Axial images and reconstructions were reviewed to determine flow pathways of contrast material and compared with anatomic dissection.
Results: The prevesical space was injected in 4 cadavers, the perivesical space in 2 and the perirectal in 2. In the 4 prevesical space injections communication was seen with the perivesical (4of 4) and perirectal (1 of 4) spaces and with the posterior pararenal space(PPRS) in all, anterior pararenal space(APRS) in 2 of 4, and perirenal space(PRS) in 3 of 4. In the 2 perivesical injections communication was seen with the prevesical (2 of 2) and perirectal (2 of 2) spaces and with the PPRS in 2 of 2, APRS in 2 of 2 and PRS in 2 of 2. In the 2 perirectal space injections communication was seen with the prevesical (2 of 2) and perivesical (1 of 2) spaces and with the PPRS in 2 of 2, APRS in 2 of 2 and PRS in 1 of 2. Cadaveric dissection correlated with CT findings in all cases.
Conclusion: Communication between the pelvic extraperitoneal spaces readily occurs. In particular the perirectal space communicates with other pelvic extraperitoneal spaces. Free communication between extraperitoneal spaces in the abdomen and pelvis also occurs.
Questions about this event email: mlee@rcsi.ie
O'Connell MD, A,
CT of Pelvic Extraperitoneal Spaces: An Anatomic Study in Cadavers. Radiological Society of North America 2003 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 30 - December 5, 2003 ,Chicago IL.
http://archive.rsna.org/2003/3102178.html
