[Detectability of intraperitoneal free air by ultrasonography].
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the role of ultrasonography in the detection of pneumoperitoneum.


METHODS
Eleven patients who had been diagnosed as acute abdomen and pneumoperitoneum were evaluated by ultrasonography and direct radiographies. An additional ultrasonographic feature named "scissoring technique" was also evaluated.


RESULTS
All patients had pneumoperitoneum in ultrasonographic and radiographic examination. The radiologic findings were verified with surgical results. The scissoring technique was found to be as accurate as other sonographic and radiographic sings.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasonography is a sensitive technique for diagnosing pneumoperitoneum and it can be safely used as a first line imaging modality. If future studies confirm, the scissoring technique can be used in the ultrasonographic diagnosis of the pneumoperitoneum.
Karahan
O Ibrahim
OI
Erciyes Universitesi Tip Fakültesi, Radyoloji Anabilim Dali, 38280 Kayseri.
Kurt
Alibekir
A
Baykara
Murat
M
Coşkun
Abdulhakim
A
D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*