Gastrointestinal Tract Perforation: MDCT Findings according to the Perforation Sites

The entire abdomen from the dome of the diaphragm to the pelvic floor should be scanned. Contiguous axial images less than 5 mm thick are obtained and thinner sections and multiplanar reformations may be applied when necessary. After the precontrast images have been acquired, CT scanning is initiated 70 to 80 seconds after the intravenous injection of contrast material (300 to 370 mgI/mL; 100 to 150 mL at a rate of 3 to 4 mL/s). In our hospital, we prefer CT scanning without oral contrast material for evaluating bowel perforation. Although extraluminal leakage of oral contrast material has been reported to be a specific finding for bowel perforation, several authors have raised doubts about the added benefit of oral contrast material (6, 9, 12). These reports cite safety issues (i.e., the risk of aspiration and the subsequent complications), the potential delay in the diagnosis and the lack of substantial added benefit for detecting bowel perforation. Further, the slow progression of the oral contrast material in the GI tract of a patient suffering from paralytic ileus and the rapid sealing of the perforation site may preclude extraluminal leakage of oral contrast material in patients with GI tract perforation.

The diagnosis of GI tract perforation is based on the direct CT findings, such as discontinuity of the bowel wall and the presence of extraluminal air, and on the indirect CT findings, such as bowel wall thickening, abnormal bowel wall enhancement, abscess and an inflammatory mass adjacent to the bowel (1, 3, 5-8).

Direct visualization of the discontinuity of the bowel wall can specify the presence and site of GI tract perforation, which is marked by a low-attenuating cleft that usually runs perpendicular to the bowel wall on CT (10). However, this cleft has been reported to be observed less frequently than free air on CT, and a cleft is usually seen in less than 50% of the patients with GI tract perforation (1, 3, 8, 10). The relatively infrequent detection of this finding is partly due to the small size of the lesion (8). MDCT with multiplanar reformation images may help identify discontinuity of the bowel wall, and especially when the axial CT images are indeterminate (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
46-year-old man with traumatic small bowel perforation.

A. Transverse CT image shows concentrated free air bubbles (arrows) in vicinity of jejunal loop.

B. Coronal reformation CT image demonstrates discontinuity of jejunal wall (arrows), which is not clearly seen on transverse CT image.

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Although extraluminal air is highly specific for making the diagnosis of GI tract perforation, the sensitivity of plain radiograph to detect this is not high (5, 10). In contrast, CT is highly sensitive for detecting free extraluminal air. When tiny bubbles of free air are embedded in the omentum and mesentery, or if they are located in places such as the anterior peritoneal surface of the liver and among the bowel loops, CT images with the wide window setting can be useful for enhancing the sensitivity to detect this free air (Fig. 2) (5). In addition to the presence of GI tract perforation, concentrated free air bubbles in close proximity to the bowel wall may help determine the site of perforation because free air bubbles tend to be in the vicinity of the bowel wall from which they arises, and especially when the amount of air is small (Fig. 3) (3). The amount and location of free air could be different according to the perforation site (Table 1).

Fig. 2
47-year-old man with traumatic small bowel perforation.

Transverse CT image shows small air bubble (arrow) at anterior abdominal surface. Presence of air is more clearly seen on CT image with wide window setting.

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Fig. 3
Traumatic duodenal perforation in 53-year-old woman.

Transverse CT scan demonstrates extraluminal free air (arrows) surrounding 3rd portion of duodenum (D) and retroperitoneal fluid (arrowheads).

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Table 1
Summary of Amount and Location of Free Air according to Perforation Sites

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On the contrary, air confined to the inner layer of the abdominal wall and external to the parietal peritoneum should not be interpreted as pneumoperitoneum (Fig. 4) (8). It should be noted that extraluminal intra- or retroperitoneal air can occur without GI tract perforation. Various causes can produce air, such as mechanical ventilation and pulmonary barotraumas, peritoneal lavage that's performed prior to CT, pneumothorax, chest injury and entry of air via the female genital tract (8). Thus, additional CT findings that are indicative of GI tract perforation intensify the significance of extraluminal free air.

Fig. 4
Pseudopneumoperitoneum in 53-year-old man.

Transverse CT image shows free air bubbles (arrows) between transversalis fascia and parietal peritoneum, which could be misinterpreted as pneumoperitoneum.

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Among various disease entities, peptic ulcer disease is a major cause of gastroduodenal perforation, followed by necrotic or ulcerated malignancies, iatrogenic injuries and traumatic injuries (5). Gastroduodenal perforation associated with peptic ulcers is commonly found in the gastric antrum and duodenal bulb, whereas the descending and horizontal segments of the duodenum are the common sites of perforation caused by blunt trauma because of their firm attachment, the acutely angled flexures and the compression against the vertebral column (13).

Perforation sites can be frequently demonstrated by the CT findings, such as ulceration or focal defect of the gastroduodenal wall (Fig. 5), air bubbles in contact with the stomach or the duodenum (Fig. 6), abrupt wall thickening associated with adjacent "dirty fat" density and local fluid between the duodenum and the pancreatic head (6).

Fig. 5
37-year-old woman with perforated gastric ulcer.

Focal defect in lesser curvature of gastric body is caused by deep ulcer (arrow) associated with surrounding mural thickening. Note small air bubble (arrowhead) on anterior peritoneal surface of liver.

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Fig. 6
74-year-old man with perforated gastric ulcer.

A. Transverse CT image shows concentration of extraluminal air bubbles (arrows) in close proximity to gastric antral wall.

B. Coronal reformation CT image demonstrates close relationship between extraluminal air bubbles (arrows) and gastric antral wall (arrowheads).

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Extraluminal free air is the most common and consistent finding of gastroduodenal perforation, although it may be absent in gastroduodenal perforation, and especially at the onset of symptom (14). It is usually abundant and it is noted around the liver and stomach (5). Free air or an air-fluid level crossing the midline and an accentuating falciform ligament (the "falciform ligament sign") and free air confined in the intrahepatic fissure for the ligamentum teres (the "ligamentum teres sign") have been considered to be useful findings in patients with perforation of the duodenal bulb or stomach (Fig. 7) (1, 5). If free air is found in the lesser sac, then the likely site of perforation is the posterior wall of the stomach or duodenum (Fig. 8) (9). Gastric perforation is seldom correlated with air trapped in the mesenteric or sigmoid recess, in contrast to perforation of the colon and small bowel (9). Extraluminal free air in the right anterior pararenal space is the reliable CT finding for diagnosing duodenal perforation beyond the bulbar segment (15).

Fig. 7
41-year-old woman with perforation of gastric body that complicates endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Transverse (A) and coronal reformation (B) CT images with wide window setting show that free air crossing midline accentuates falciform ligament (arrow).

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Fig. 8
68-year-old woman with perforation of posterior wall of gastric body and this complicates endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Transverse CT image shows free air (arrow) in lesser sac. Large quantity of free air (arrowheads) anterior to stomach is also seen.

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Whereas gastroduodenal perforation usually results in massive pneumoperitoneum, small bowel perforation accounts for the majority of the cases in which the amount of extraluminal air is too small to be detected by conventional radiography or even CT. According to Grassi et al. (16), free air was detected with using CT in only approximately 50% of the cases of small bowel perforation. Thus, a small amount of free air in the anterior peritoneal surfaces of the liver and mid-abdomen and among the peritoneal folds, as well as such indirect CT findings as mural thickening and abnormal enhancement of the small bowel, mesenteric fluid and mesenteric stranding, should be scrutinized in patients with suspected small bowel perforation (Fig. 9). When the CT findings are inconclusive and any obvious clinical manifestations of perforation are absent, close follow-up with repeated CT scanning could be helpful. Postoperative perforation or anastomotic leakage should be suspected when free air and ascites are present or these problems are increased in amount the first week after surgery (5).

Fig. 9
47-year-old man with small bowel perforation due to blunt trauma.

Transverse CT image shows tiny air bubble (arrowhead) around perforated small bowel with thick enhancing wall (arrows).

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Given that the primary pathogenic event in acute appendicitis is luminal obstruction (17), it is not surprising that the amount of extraluminal air for this condition is generally small or absent, usually no more than 1 or 2 mL, and a free pneumoperitoneum is very rare in patients with perforated appendicitis (5). In one study (18), the five specific CT findings of extraluminal air, extraluminal appendicolith, abscess, phlegmon and a defect in the enhancing appendiceal wall allowed excellent diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of perforated appendicitis (Fig. 10).

Fig. 10
49-year-old woman with acute perforated appendicitis.

Transverse CT image demonstrates focal defect (arrowhead) in inflamed appendiceal wall and periappendiceal inflammatory stranding (arrows).

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The perforation sites of colonic loops can frequently be correlated with their causes (19). Malignant neoplasm, diverticulitis (in western countries), blunt trauma and ischemia are common causes of perforation on the left side of colonic loops (Fig. 11). Yet inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis (in eastern countries) and penetrating trauma tend to be observed on the right side of colonic loops. The cecum is prone to perforate in patients with mechanical colonic obstruction. Iatrogenic injuries commonly involve the rectum and sigmoid colon. Depending on the perforation site, free air may be detected in intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal spaces (Fig. 12). When the perforation occurs due to diverticulitis or colorectal malignancy without bowel obstruction, the quantity of extraluminal air is usually small and the bubbles of extraluminal air tend to be concentrated in close proximity to the involved colon (5). In order to confidently diagnose perforation of the large bowel loop, the presence of extraluminal air, phlegmon and/or abscess, an extraluminal collection of feces and the underlying colonic abnormality should be carefully evaluated on CT images (Fig. 13).

Fig. 11
74-year-old man with perforation of sigmoid colon.

Transverse CT image shows extraluminal air-fluid level (arrows) adjacent to sigmoid colon with mural thickening and enhancement (arrowheads).

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Fig. 12
60-year-old woman with iatrogenic rectal perforation.

A. Transverse CT image shows focal defect (arrow) in right side of rectal wall.

B. Transverse CT image demonstrates free air (arrows) in both perirenal spaces.

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Fig. 13
81-year-old man with spontaneous perforation of sigmoid colon.

A. Transverse CT image shows concentration of extraluminal air bubbles (arrows) in close proximity to sigmoid wall.

B. Transverse CT image obtained at upper level demonstrates extraluminal feces, which display unique appearance of mass with mottled air bubbles (arrows).

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Stercoral perforation of the colon is a distinct clinical and pathologic entity (20). It occurs due to pressure necrosis of the colonic wall from a rock-hard fecaloma. Because performing an immediate, optimal surgical procedure is mandatory to reduce the mortality rate from stercoral perforation, it is important to be familiar with the CT findings of stercoral perforation. The combination of a fecaloma protruding through the colonic wall or lying freely in the abdominal cavity and free air must lead to a suspicion of stercoral perforation of the colon (Fig. 14).

Fig. 14
90-year-old man with stercoral perforation of sigmoid colon.

A. Transverse CT image shows localized hard fecal mass (arrows) connected with sigmoid colon.

B. Transverse CT image obtained at upper level demonstrates extraluminal gas (arrowhead) adjacent to localized hard fecal mass (arrows), which is indicative of perforation.

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It is crucial to make a prompt and correct diagnosis of GI tract perforation with respect to the presence, site and cause of perforation, and this helps the physician choose the optimal therapeutic option. CT allows radiologists not only to detect intraabdominal free air, but also to precisely determine the anatomic site of GI tract perforation. CT findings such as discontinuity of the bowel wall, concentrated bubbles of extraluminal air in close proximity to the bowel wall and abrupt bowel wall thickening with or without an associated phlegmon or abscess are useful for assessing the site of perforation.