What does it mean when pouch of Douglas has fluid?

A small amount of fluid in the cul-de-sac is normal and is usually not of concern. If the fluid sample shows signs of pus or blood, the area may need to be drained. Sometimes blood can be a result of ruptured cyst or signs of an ectopic pregnancy.

What is the pouch of Douglas for?

The pouch of Douglas is a small area in the female human body between the uterus and the rectum. The pouch of Douglas, like the pouch of a mother kangaroo or a coin purse, can expand to accommodate growing or multiplying things.

What is pouch of Douglas in ultrasound?

The pouch of Douglas (cul-de-sac) represents the caudal extension of the peritoneal cavity. It is the rectovaginal pouch in the female and the rectovesical pouch in the male. The cul-de-sac is in a dependent position when either upright or supine; it is, therefore, a frequent location for seeded lesions.

What is pouch of Douglas in pregnancy?

Pouch of Douglas: An extension of the peritoneal cavity between the rectum and the back wall of the uterus. Also known as the rectouterine pouch.

How much fluid is normal in the pouch of Douglas?

It is normal to have approximately 1 to 3 ml (or mL) of fluid in the rectouterine pouch throughout the menstrual cycle. After ovulation there is between 4 and 5 ml of fluid in the rectouterine pouch.

How do you drain the fluid out of a pouch of Douglas?

Culdocentesis is a medical procedure involving the extraction of fluid from the pouch of Douglas (a rectouterine pouch posterior to the vagina) through a needle….

Culdocentesis
ICD-9-CM 70.0
MedlinePlus 003919

How do you get the fluid out of a pouch of Douglas?

Culdocentesis is the puncture and aspiration (withdrawal) of fluid from the pouch of Douglas or rectouterine pouch. The pouch of Douglas or rectouterine pouch is formed between the part of the gut and the uterus. The procedure involves the introduction of a needle through the vaginal wall into the pouch of Douglas.

Can you see pouch of Douglas on ultrasound?

The pouch of Douglas should always be evaluated at the time of a transvaginal ultrasound, as the findings are often helpful in supporting a pelvic pain diagnosis. Because fluid from the pouch of Douglas protects the body from contamination, checking it on transvaginal ultrasound is vital.

What causes fluid in pod?

Menstrual blood that has refluxed through the fallopian tubes and fluids related to ovulation or ruptured cysts settle in it. Likewise, blood from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, inflammatory debris from a pelvic or appendiceal infection and ascites due to malignancy, liver or cardiac failure may collect here.

How much fluid is normal in the Pouch of Douglas?

Can fluid in your uterus cause pain?

Another type of ovarian cyst is a corpus luteum cyst, which occurs after an egg is released. These occur if the sac doesn’t shrink. Instead, it re-seals, and fluid builds up inside. These sometimes bleed and can “twist” the ovary and cause severe pain (known as “torsion”).

What does POD mean in ultrasound?

The Pouch of Douglas (POD), also known as rectouterine pouch and posterior cul-de-sac, is bordered anteriorly by the posterior uterus and posteriorly by the rectosigmoid colon. It is lined by peritoneum which originates from remnants of the Mullerian system which does not participate in organogenesis (Lauchlan, 1972).

What is the function of the pouch of Douglas?

The Pouch of Douglas, may be a pelvic organ, with its location at the pelvic region, and its function related to that of the other organs of the pelvis, but, it also has relations to the digestive and even renal systems.

How is the pouch of Douglas used for dialysis?

Peritoneal Dialysis. Used to manage kidney failure, peritoneal dialysis is done by inserting a catheter into the Pouch of Douglas. In this procedure, the peritoneal cavity is infused with the dialysate solution. The catheter placed within the cul de sac serves as a port to bring in the dialysate fluid and a conduit for drainage.

When is an endoscope inserted in the pouch of Douglas?

Procedures, both for assessing and managing certain conditions, may involve the Pouch of Douglas. This is a method by which an endoscope is inserted through the vagina and placed in the Pouch of Douglas to further internally examine the pelvic cavity. It is usually done prior to fluid drainage.

How did the rectouterine pouch get its name?

The distal end of the tenckhoff catheter is placed in the pouch, and occasionally sutured to the bladder to avoid migration. It is named after the Scottish anatomist James Douglas (1675–1742) 2. 1. Brant WE, Helms CA. Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology.