Abstract
When a hollow viscus ruptures, air (and bowel contents) is released into the abdominal cavity. “Free air” will collect in the least dependent (highest) portion of the peritoneum. Pneumoperitoneum has a broad range of etiologies from benign expected postoperative air to life-threatening hollow viscus rupture. Anytime a pneumoperitoneum is identified, it needs to be explained. Often the investigation of pneumoperitoneum begins with abdominal radiographs. If free air is noted, CT is often done to further delineate the extent of free air and determine the source.
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© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
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Singh, H., Neutze, J.A., Enterline, J.R. (2015). Abnormal Air Collections in the Abdomen. In: Singh, H., Neutze, J., Enterline, J. (eds) Radiology Fundamentals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10362-4_27
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10362-4_27
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