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Abdominal Compartment Syndrome and Gastrointestinal Tract Perforation

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Imaging of Alimentary Tract Perforation

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Abstract

Abdominal compartment syndrome occurs when there is an acute increase of the intra-abdominal pressure above physiological limits. This syndrome is most common in the setting of severe abdominal trauma and after reexploration of the abdomen after major abdominal surgeries. The consequences of abdominal compartment syndrome are deep and involve different vital body systems. Hemodynamic, neurological, respiratory, and renal abnormalities are the hallmarks of abdominal compartment syndrome. In patients with gastrointestinal tract perforation, the progressive increase of the intra-abdominal pressure with obstruction of lymph and venous return can result in diffuse lymphedema of the abdominal wall. The increasing intra-abdominal pressure with abdominal tamponade compromises the blood circulation with initial presentations of a distended abdomen, edema of the lower legs, and cyanosis with deterioration of function of the intra-abdominal organs.

In the appropriate clinical setting, CT findings suggestive of abdominal compartment syndrome should be communicated without delay to the physicians involved in the treatment of the affected patient.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, “A. Cardarelli” Hospital, Via Cardarelli 9, Naples, I-80131, Italy

    Ciro Acampora, Rosa Ignarra & Antonio Pinto

Authors
  1. Ciro Acampora
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  2. Rosa Ignarra
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  3. Antonio Pinto
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Correspondence to Antonio Pinto .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, “A. Cardarelli” Hospital, Naples, Italy

    Luigia Romano

  2. Dept Radiology, “A. Cardarelli” Hospital, Naples, Italy

    Antonio Pinto

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Acampora, C., Ignarra, R., Pinto, A. (2015). Abdominal Compartment Syndrome and Gastrointestinal Tract Perforation. In: Romano, L., Pinto, A. (eds) Imaging of Alimentary Tract Perforation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08192-2_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08192-2_17

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-08191-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-08192-2

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