Fluid-filled bowel mimicking hemoperitoneum: a false-positive finding during sonographic evaluation for trauma

J Emerg Med. 2003 Jul;25(1):79-82. doi: 10.1016/s0736-4679(03)00128-8.

Abstract

This case report describes a patient who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) after a high-speed motor vehicle crash (MVC), whose initial ultrasound examination was interpreted as being positive for fluid in Morison's pouch. Subsequent ultrasound examinations and computed tomography scans further delineated this finding to be fluid-filled bowel juxtaposed between the liver and right kidney. With greater implementation of ED ultrasound, it is important to identify entities that cause false-positive and false-negative examinations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Injuries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Abdominal Injuries / therapy
  • Adult
  • Ascitic Fluid / diagnostic imaging*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Hemoperitoneum / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Intestines / diagnostic imaging*
  • Intestines / physiopathology
  • Multiple Trauma / diagnosis
  • Multiple Trauma / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / diagnostic imaging*
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / therapy