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SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyDrug Reaction DataReferences
Emergency: requires immediate attention
Pneumoperitoneum
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed
Emergency: requires immediate attention

Pneumoperitoneum

Contributors: Michael W. Winter MD, Paritosh Prasad MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Pneumoperitoneum refers to the presence of air in the abdomen outside of the gastrointestinal tract. This occurs in the setting of an intestinal perforation, which can be iatrogenic (eg, due to surgical enterotomy), as the benign result of laparoscopic surgical technique, or as a sequela of bowel perforation due to underlying ischemia, ulceration, infection, or trauma (including post-resuscitation). A cause or association of pneumoperitoneum is intestinal air (pneumatosis intestinalis).

Patients with pneumoperitoneum from bowel perforation can present with a range of symptoms from localized abdominal pain to severe abdominal pain with rebound and guarding. This can be a life-threatening surgical emergency associated with end-organ dysfunction due to septic shock.

Management of pneumoperitoneum depends on the underlying etiology and the patient's condition. Treatment can include supportive observation, antibiotics, or emergent surgery with repair of luminal defect.

Codes

ICD10CM:
K66.8 – Other specified disorders of peritoneum

SNOMEDCT:
17204006 – Pneumoperitoneum

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Diagnostic Pearls

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Best Tests

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Therapy

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Drug Reaction Data

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References

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Last Reviewed:03/28/2018
Last Updated:07/21/2019
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Emergency: requires immediate attention
Pneumoperitoneum
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A medical illustration showing key findings of Pneumoperitoneum : Abdominal pain, Rebound tenderness
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.