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Morison’s pouch: anatomical review and evaluation of pathologies and disease spread on cross-sectional imaging

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Abstract

The peritoneum is a complex structure. Having a better understanding of this complex anatomy will enable the radiologist to accurately assess and diagnose the wide range of intra-abdominal pathologies. In this article, we review the anatomy, boundaries, and connections of Morison’s pouch. In addition, we discuss the incidence and development of common pathological conditions within Morison’s pouch and the role of multiple imaging modalities in assessment and diagnosis of these conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Abdominal Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Sameh Nassar, Katherine J. Blair, Ali Baiomy & Khaled M. Elsayes

  2. Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 13400 East Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, USA

    Christine O. Menias

  3. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Missouri Health Care, 1 Hospital Dr., Columbia, MO, 65212, USA

    Ayman Nada & Ayman H. Gaballah

  4. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Utah, 50 N Medical Drive, Ste 1A71, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA

    Akram M. Shaaban

  5. Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 510 S Kingshighway Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA

    Vincent M. Mellnick

  6. Department of Radiology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA

    Meghan G. Lubner

  7. School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Scott A. Rohren

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  1. Sameh Nassar
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Contributions

SN: Was responsible for the study concept and design; provided literature searches, drafting, editing, revising of manuscript, collecting and working on images. COM: Provided imaging example, reviewed and edited manuscript. AN: Provided literature search, added references, edited, revised manuscript, and annotated images. KJB: Reviewed and edited manuscript. AMS: Provided imaging example, reviewed and edited manuscript. VMM: Provided imaging example, reviewed and edited manuscript. AHG: Provided imaging example, reviewed and edited manuscript. MGL: Provided imaging example, reviewed and edited manuscript. AB: Reviewed and edited manuscript. SR: Reviewed and edited manuscript. KME: Close monitoring, provided imaging example, editing, redesigning, revising, and approval of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Khaled M. Elsayes.

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Nassar, S., Menias, C.O., Nada, A. et al. Morison’s pouch: anatomical review and evaluation of pathologies and disease spread on cross-sectional imaging. Abdom Radiol 45, 2315–2326 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-020-02597-1

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