Abdominal wall CT: a pictorial essay.

Abdominal CT demonstrates clearly the anatomy of the abdominal wall. This radiographic technique may provide valuable information when pathology is suspected in this region or in the adjacent peritoneum. The muscles, subcutaneous tissues and vascular structures of the abdominal wall should be examined thoroughly when reading routine abdominal CT films. This paper reviews abnormalities identified involving the abdominal wall including hernias, masses, vessels, hematomas, abscesses, ascites, neuromuscular diseases and miscellaneous entities.