title: Pneumoperitoneum. A complication of mechanical ventilation.
abstract: Pneumoperitoneum occurred in three adults receiving mechanical ventilatory support. Since the presence of a perforated viscus could not be confirmed by combinations of clinical, surgical, or autopsy findings in any of these patients, it appears that the free abdominal air in these patients was a complication of the ventilatory therapy. It is possible that such a complication may be more common than is currently recognized and thus should be added to the differential diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography