What does free air on an abdominal xray mean?

The presence of free intra-abdominal gas usually indicates a perforated abdominal viscus. The most common cause is perforation of a peptic ulcer. Patients with such conditions need urgent surgery.

What does free air look like on xray?

An erect chest x-ray is probably the most sensitive plain radiograph for the detection of free intraperitoneal gas. If a large volume pneumoperitoneum is present, it may be superimposed over a normally aerated lung with normal lung markings.

What is free air in the abdomen?

Free gas, or pneumoperitoneum, is gas or air trapped within the peritoneal cavity, but outside the lumen of the bowel. Pneumoperitoneum can be due to bowel perforation, or due to insufflation of gas (CO2 or air) during laparoscopy.

What does a gasless abdomen mean?

A gasless abdomen refers to a paucity of gas on abdominal radiography, and the specific cause can usually be identified when the patient’s history is known. Common causes include: small bowel obstruction.

What does free air on abdominal X ray mean?

On detection of air in abdominal cavity, patient is immediately rushed to hospital and in most cases exploratory laparotomy is performed to detect the site of perforation. Once perforation is found, it is sutured and the leakage of gastric and intestinal content is stopped. The peritoneum is thoroughly cleaned.

What to look for on a neonatal gastrointestinal radiograph?

In the neonate or child with abdominal pain or vomiting, abdomen radiographs showing gaseous distention of the stomach and duodenal bulb suggest a high obstruction (see Fig. 114-4 ). This appearance (i.e., double bubble) can also be seen in duodenal atresia and annular pancreas.

How to use abdominal X-rays in preterm infants suspected?

Correspondence to Dr Angela Huertas-Ceballos, Department of Neonatology, University College London Hospital, London WC1E 6DB, UK; [email protected] Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm babies is a serious gastrointestinal emergency with potentially devastating consequences.

Can a peritoneum X-ray damage a fetus?

There is a small risk for damage to the growing fetus, especially in the early pregnancy period. In most cases, abdominal X-ray is taken in erect position to determine presence of free air in the peritoneum. Peritoneum is thin membrane which lines the walls of abdominal cavity and the viscera that lies inside the abdomen.