Sonographic features of mesenteric gas.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the sonographic appearance of air in the mesentery of the small bowel.

METHODS

Sonography was performed with convex and linear array transducers in 2 patients with acute abdomen.

RESULTS

In 1 patient, sonography revealed fluid and air in the peritoneal cavity. A thick-walled small-bowel loop with a thick echogenic mesentery was seen. Air was seen in the mesentery as linear bright echoes with acoustic shadowing. An uncomplicated diverticulum was seen. In the second patient, air was seen in the thick and echogenic mesentery of a thick-walled small bowel. An inflamed diverticulum was also seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Sonographic features of mesenteric air due to perforated diverticulitis of the jejunum are described.