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Signs of Extraperitoneal Air

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Essential Radiology Review

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Abstract

The extraperitoneal space is a potential space. It lies between the transversalis fascia and the parietal peritoneum. Radiologically, the three common signs of extraperitoneal air are a streaky, linear appearance outlining extraperitoneal structures; a mottled, blotchy appearance of the air; and a relatively fixed position of the air (it does not move with changes in patient positioning). Commonly, you can see some extraperitoneal structures outlines in air if it is present. These structures are the psoas muscles, the kidneys, ureters and/or bladder, and the aorta or inferior vena cave. Pneumomediastinum is when free air is present in the mediastinum due to air passing through the diaphragmatic hiatus. Pneumoperitoneum is air in the extraperitoneal space and occurs when air gets through openings in the peritoneum and into the peritoneal cavity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA

    Rose Miller

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  1. Rose Miller
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Correspondence to Rose Miller .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Manchester, CT, USA

    Adam E. M. Eltorai

  2. Providence, RI, USA

    Charles H. Hyman

  3. Warwick, RI, USA

    Terrance T. Healey

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Miller, R. (2019). Signs of Extraperitoneal Air. In: Eltorai, A., Hyman, C., Healey, T. (eds) Essential Radiology Review. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26044-6_93

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26044-6_93

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-26043-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-26044-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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