Point-of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Pneumoperitoneum in the Emergency Department

Authors

Melissa Bacci, HCA HealthcareFollow
Roli Kushwaha, HCA HealthcareFollow
Gabriel Cabrera, HCA HealthcareFollow
Eric Kalivoda MD, HCA HealthcareFollow

Division

West Florida

Hospital

Brandon Regional Hospital

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

6-8-2020

Keywords

point-of-care ultrasound, ultrasonography, pneumoperitoneum, intraperitoneal free air, gastrointestinal perforation, perforated viscus, acute abdomen, emergency department

Disciplines

Diagnosis | Digestive System Diseases | Emergency Medicine

Abstract

Prompt and accurate diagnostic evaluation of the nontraumatic acute abdomen in the emergency department (ED) is crucial to lessen mortality burden. In patients with perforated viscus and pneumoperitoneum, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can assist the emergency physician (EP) in the rapid bedside diagnosis. This report describes a case in which EP-performed POCUS led to the early detection and timely management of an atypical presentation of pneumoperitoneum.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

Recommended Citation

Bacci M, Kushwaha R, Cabrera G, et al. (June 08, 2020) Point-of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Pneumoperitoneum in the Emergency Department. Cureus 12(6): e8503. doi:10.7759/cureus.8503