Retropsoas peritoneal recess in CT

ABSTRACT

Retropsoas space below the level of kidney has been suggested as a portion of inferior extensions of perirenal and anterior and posterior pararenal spaces. With this being true, the space may play an important role in disease extension. A study was performed to verify the existence of retropsoas peritoneal recess by means of identifying the extension of bowel loops into this space. Abdominal CT scans of 146 cases evaluated retrospectively revealed extension of 5 small bowel and 7 large bowel loops (6 descending and 1 ascending colons)(n=12/8.2%) into the retropsoas space verifying its existence. Since pathologic collection within the retropsoas space might be falsely inter preted as a retroperitoneal pathology and percutaneous uroradiologic intervention could result in intraperitoneal injury or contamination without the knowledge on the existence of this space, observation of this space is essential in CT scans.