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Properitoneal fat mimicking intraperitoneal air

Case contributed by Mohammad A. ElBeialy
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. The mother gave a history of possible foreign body ingestion.

Patient Data

Age: 8 months
Gender: Male

There is a fat density stripe along the lateral wall of the abdomen on an AP abdominal radiograph (white arrow). It extends from the iliac crest to the lateral surface of the liver. 

Annotated image

Annotated image of properitoneal fat stripes. 

CT study confirmed no evidence of intussusception or pneumoperitoneum. 

Dilated colon mainly with gas and fecal residue is seen. Multiple enlarged discrete mesenteric as well as bilateral inguinal lymph nodes; mostly post-infectious enteritis. 

Case Discussion

Properitoneal fat mimicking intraperitoneal air.

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