Case Twenty-One

Case Summary

Diagnosis:  Free Intra-abdominal Air


Clinical hints:

Viscus perforation, dialysis, paracentesis, tubal insufflation, and pneumatosis intestinale are causes. This patient had a recent hysterectomy.


Radiological Pearls:
  • commonly seen on upright CXR
     
  • decubitus views useful
     
  • usual cause is recent surgery
     
  • use gastrograffin in GI studies


Films were kindly provided by Dr. W. Weiser.

 

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