Pneumoperitoneum—the radiographic and clinical virtues of the supine abdominal film

Excerpt

The recognition of pneumoperitoneum remains a quintessential challenge for diagnostic radiologists in both affluent and developing countries, although one of the major causes of spontaneously generated free air-- perforated gastric and duodenal ulcer-- has decreased in incidence. Nevertheless, the condition is, by no means, rare. It is up to the radiologist to observe and report it especially when the amount of liberated air is small and its roentgenographic appearances are subtle, because then only he or she is trained to see it. A prompt diagnosis can be crucial in any event because it may be the difference between recovery and survival on one hand and death on the other. …