Properitoneal fat stripe

Case contributed by Henry Knipe
Diagnosis not applicable

Presentation

Abdominal pain ?obstruction. Background of colostomy.

Patient Data

Age: 55
Gender: Male
x-ray

Mild gaseous prominence of the small bowel loop in the left abdomen without air fluid levels. No features to suggest mechanical obstruction. No evidence of pneumoperitoneum.

Radiolucent line projecting over the far right abdomen is consistent with a properitoneal fat stripe. 

Annotated image

Red line highlights position of properitoneal fat stripe. 

Case Discussion

Properitoneal fat stripe is the manifestation of properitoneal fat. Its importance lies in that it can mimic pneumoperitoneum or retropneumoperitoneum

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