[Retroperitoneal gas accumulations: diagnosis using imaging procedures].

In 17 patients, signs of retroperitoneal gas accumulations were assessed on two planes by plain radiographs, and also by means of sonography and computed tomography. In some cases, diagnosis is possible via the plain radiographs if one knows the retroperitoneal compartments and the typical paths of propagation of both gas and inflammatory processes. Provided that conditions of examination are favourable, sonography can help to determine the seat and aetiology of the disease. In any case, however, computed tomography is clearly superior to both methods. Besides enabling the definite identification of gas accumulations, it provides a means for the exact localization in the retroperitoneal area, and in most cases also for arriving at the final diagnosis. This is important for effective treatment planning.