Perforated duodenal ulcer with leakage of oral contrast

Case contributed by Michael P Hartung
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Abdominal pain.

Patient Data

Age: 55 years
Gender: Male

Nasogastric tube with oral contrast injected prior to the exam. Upper abdominal free air and fluid, with locules in the hepatic hilum/GB fossa. Dense oral contrast layering within the perihepatic fluid (along right lower margin and into the paracolic gutters R>L). Thickening of the first portion of the duodenum with a subtle wall defect indicating the ulcer channel.

Case Discussion

Perforated duodenal ulcer resulting in a large amount of leakage or oral contast into the peritoneal cavity. The defect is surprisingly subtle in this CT, however, which is fairly typical of ulcers due to the surrounding wall edema. This was confirmed at the time of surgery and repaired with Graham patch.

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