Loading...
The standard method for detecting pneumoperitoneum is to obtain an upright posteroanterior chest x-ray. However, anecdotal observations indicate that a lateral view might be more sensitive. To study this issue, radiologists at the University of Kentucky obtained upright posteroanterior and lateral chest films from 100 consecutive patients who were already known to have pneumoperitoneum, usually caused by recent abdominal surgery or dialysis. Free air under the diaphragm was noted only on the lateral view in 20 cases, only on the posteroanterior view in 2 cases, and on both views in 78 cases. Comment: In this study, the lateral chest film was significantly more sensitive than the posteroanterior view in detecting abdominal free air. This may…