American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 171, 1577-1582, Copyright © 1998 by American Roentgen Ray Society
Hartmann's pouch: radiographic evaluation of postoperative findings
R Cherukuri, MS Levine, DD Maki, SE Rubesin, I Laufer and EF Rosato
Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of
contrast-enhanced radiography of the Hartmann's pouch for evaluating
postoperative abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a
retrospective study of 84 patients with a Hartmann's pouch who underwent
contrast-enhanced radiography of the pouch during a recent 7- year period.
Sixty-four patients underwent single-contrast barium studies of the pouch,
17 underwent studies with a water-soluble contrast medium, and three
underwent both types of studies. The radiographic studies were reviewed to
determine the types and frequency of abnormalities involving the pouch.
Medical records were also reviewed to determine clinical presentation and
course. RESULTS: Abnormalities of the Hartmann's pouch were detected on
contrast- enhanced radiography in 16 (19%) of the 84 patients. Of the 70
patients who underwent routine contrast-enhanced radiography of the pouch,
11 (16%) had abnormalities, including diversion colitis in three, leaks in
two, adhesions in two, recurrent carcinoma in two, ulcerative colitis
involving the pouch in one, and a stricture in one. In both patients with
clinically silent leaks, the contrast-enhanced radiography was performed 3
months or more after creation of the pouch. Of the remaining 14 patients
who underwent contrast-enhanced radiography because of suspected
complications involving the pouch, five (36%) had abnormalities revealed,
including leaks in two, fistulas in two, and recurrent carcinoma in one.
CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced radiography of the Hartmann's pouch revealed
abnormalities of the pouch in 19% of patients, including leaks or fistulas,
diversion colitis, adhesions, strictures, and recurrent tumor. Because two
patients had clinically silent leaks that were detected during the late
postoperative period, it may be prudent to perform these studies with a
water-soluble contrast medium to avoid the problems associated with
extravasation of barium into the extra- or intraperitoneal spaces.