Pathologies Flashcards
(28 cards)
What are the clinical symptoms of a retroperitoneum abscess?
- fever of unknown origin
- chills
- weakness
- malaise
- pain at site of injection
- tenderness and/or swelling post-op
What are lab values of a retroperitoneal abscess?
- normal liver function
- increased WBC
- generalized sepsis
What are sonographic findings of a retroperitoneal abscess?
- irregular shaped complex mass
- gas may be noted as a bright reflective pattern with shadow
What causes retroperitoneal abscess’?
- trauma
- surgery
- perforation of bowel
Where are retroperitoneal abscess’ typically located?
within the most dependent portion of the retroperitoneal space
What is a rectus sheath hematoma?
the most common superficial abdominal wall hematoma
What are clinical symptoms of rectus sheath hematoma
- pain
- palpable mass which persists while sitting and in supine
- skin discoloration (bruising)
What are lab values of a rectus sheath hematoma?
decrease in hematocrit
Where are rectus sheath hematomas located?
- unilateral/bilateral
- small/large (ranges from small space to entire length of ab. muscle/sheath)
What is an arcuate line?
the abrupt termination of the posterior sheath
What is a hernia?
a weakened point in the abdominal wall that allows structures to bulge out
What causes a hernia?
obesity, heavy lifting, coughing, straining
What are the three parts of a hernia?
- sac
- contents of sac
- covering of sac
What are complications of a hernia?
- strangulation
- incarceration
- nonreducible
What are sonographic findings of a hernia?
- compromises of the abdominal wall
How should you use sonography to identify a hernia?
- imaging the patient in supine and upright positions
- use dynamic imaging (valsalva, compression)
What causes trauma?
- penetrating wounds
- blows to the abdomen
- hyperextension
What are sonographic findings of trauma?
- subcutaneous edema
- muscle contusions (thickening)
- hematoma
What are the 7 kinds of neoplasm tumors?
- lipoma
- calcification in old scar
- desmoid tumor
- soft tissue sarcoma
- metastatic carcinoma
- melanoma
- endometrioma
What is a lipoma?
a tumor containing fat; most common benign mass of abdominal wall and subcutaneous tissue
What are sonographic findings of a lipoma?
hyperechoic or isoechoic to adipose tissue
What is a desmoid tumor?
aggressive fibromatosis; benign fibrous tissue mass generally located anterior to abdominal wall
What age are desmoid tumors most common in?
patients aged 20-40
What are sonographic findings of a desmoid tumor?
homogeneous, hypoechoic to isoechoic mass
