Computed tomographic diagnosis of abdominal abscesses.

The CT signs of abdominal abscess are evaluated, based on experience gained with 41 abscesses in 38 patients. The majority of abscesses were located in the upper abdomen, the largest groups being 12 hepatic and 9 subphrenic. In 16 patients the abscesses were postoperative. The most common CT sign of an abdominal abscess was a homogenous low density lesion. Other primary signs were: well defined wall, mass effect and pathological extraintestinal gas. The role and types of contrast enhancement are discussed. Contrast enhancement are discussed. Contrast enhancement was not essential for the diagnosis of abdominal abscess in the majority of cases. The diagnosis of abdominal abscess by CT is compared to ultrasonography and conventional radiography.