Perforated duodenal ulcer

Case contributed by Stefan Lazic , 14 May 2023
Diagnosis certain
Changed by Mostafa Elfeky, 30 Jun 2023
Disclosures - updated 14 May 2023: Nothing to disclose

Updates to Case Attributes

Gender was set to Female.
Age changed from 40 to 40 years.
Body was changed:

The subsequent opoperative note said "...Findings: D1 1.5 cm anterior perforation with free small bowel content and pus throughout abdomen, perihepatic area, right paracolic gutter, and pelvis (aprox. 2L)... Procedure: Laparoscopic repair of perforated duodenum, primary suture repair with omental patch and washout..."

The case highlights how non-faeculent free fluid and a large amount of intraperitoneal free air point towards and upper GI perforation rather than a lower GI perforation.

The keyed axial image suggests D1 perforation based on the impression of a mural defect seen along the lateral wall.

Incidentally, the CT scan is low quality due to off centring artefactartifact (the couch was positioned too low by the radiographer).

  • -<p>The subsequent op note said "...Findings: D1 1.5 cm anterior perforation with free small bowel content and pus throughout abdomen, perihepatic area, right paracolic gutter, and pelvis (aprox. 2L)... Procedure: Laparoscopic repair of perforated duodenum, primary suture repair with omental patch and washout..."</p><p>The case highlights how non-faeculent free fluid and a large amount of intraperitoneal free air point towards and upper GI perforation rather than a lower GI perforation.</p><p>The keyed axial image suggests D1 perforation based on the impression of a mural defect seen along the lateral wall.</p><p>Incidentally, the CT scan is low quality due to off centring artefact (the couch was positioned too low by the radiographer).</p>
  • +<p>The subsequent operative note said "...Findings: D1 1.5 cm anterior perforation with free small bowel content and pus throughout abdomen, perihepatic area, right paracolic gutter, and pelvis (aprox. 2L) ... Procedure: Laparoscopic repair of perforated duodenum, primary suture repair with omental patch and washout..."</p><p>The case highlights how non-faeculent free fluid and a large amount of intraperitoneal free air point towards and upper GI perforation rather than a lower GI perforation.</p><p>The keyed axial image suggests D1 perforation based on the impression of a mural defect seen along the lateral wall.</p><p>Incidentally, the CT scan is low quality due to off centring artifact (the couch was positioned too low by the radiographer).</p>

Updates to Study Attributes

Findings was changed:

Large amount of simple looking free fluid and free gas within the peritoneum.

The appearances are in keeping with a perforated hollow viscus.

Although the appendix is difficult to identify, there are no appendicoliths in the pelvis.

There is also thickening of the peritoneal reflections and generalised fat stranding in keeping with peritonitis.

Bibasal consolidation.

Images Changes:

Image CT (C+ portal venous phase) ( update )

Cropped image

Image CT (C+ portal venous phase) ( update )

Cropped image

Image CT (C+ portal venous phase) ( update )

Cropped image

Image CT (C+ portal venous phase) ( update )

Stack changed from 62409345 to 62409341.

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