Tags: Disease.
Pneumoperitoneum is the presence of air or gas in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity. It is often seen on X-ray but small amounts are often missed and CT is nowadays regarded as a criterion standard in the assessment of a pneumoperitoneum. CT can visualize quantities as small as 5 cm³ of air or gas. The most common cause is a perforated abdominal viscus generally a perforated peptic ulcer although any part of the bowel may perforate from a benign ulcer tumor or abdominal trauma.
