Life-threatening intraperitoneal bleeding: demonstration with CT.

ABSTRACT

The authors report a case in which computed tomography (CT) demonstrated life-threatening peritoneal hemorrhage from severe trauma. CT scans through the upper abdomen showed focal collection of extravasated contrast material; scans through the lower abdomen revealed a large hemoperitoneum with highest attenuation values near the site of contrast material extravasation. Upon recognition of this sign, the trauma radiologist can speed the patient to appropriate emergency surgery.