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Morbid obesity (CT)

Case contributed by Henry Knipe
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Hematuria ?stone.

Patient Data

Age: 40 years
Gender: Male
ct

Moderate volume of upper abdominal free fluid. No other distinct abnormality although image quality is reduced. 

Case Discussion

This case shows the difficulty in obtaining a diagnostic scan in patients with morbid obesity:

  • significant portion of the abdominopelvic cavity outside the field of view
  • photon starvation despite maximal exposure factors resulting in decreased SNR
  • peripheral beam hardening

The patient weighed approximately 215 kg. 

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