title: Tension pneumoperitoneum caused by blunt trauma.
abstract: Tension pneumoperitoneum (TPP), the accumulation of free intraabdominal air under pressure, is a rare event. TPP usually occurs from bowel surgery or bowel perforations. Less commonly, TPP occurs in the presence of pneumothoraces or during positive pressure ventilation. Trauma has rarely been a reported cause of TPP. The cases of 2 patients with TPP after blunt trauma are reported. The pathophysiology and management of TPP are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Albany Medical Center, NY 12208, USA.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ferrera
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000293:injuries; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*