Emergency: requires immediate attention
Pneumoperitoneum
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
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
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Small or large bowel obstruction
- Bowel perforation
- Strangulated or incarcerated hernia
- Intestinal volvulus
- Acute appendicitis
- Intraabdominal abscess
- Abdominal malignancy (eg, small bowel or colorectal tumors, lymphoma)
- Connective tissue disorders (eg, systemic sclerosis)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (especially stricturing disease)
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.Subscription Required
References
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Last Reviewed:03/28/2018
Last Updated:07/21/2019
Last Updated:07/21/2019