title: Tension Pneumoperitoneum Caused by Obstipation.
abstract: Emergency physicians are often required to evaluate and treat undifferentiated patients suffering acute hemodynamic compromise (AHC). It is helpful to apply a structured approach based on a differential diagnosis including all causes of AHC that can be identified and treated during a primary assessment. Tension pneumoperitoneum (TP) is an uncommon condition with the potential to be rapidly fatal. It is amenable to prompt diagnosis and stabilization in the emergency department. We present a case of a 16-year-old boy with TP to demonstrate how TP should be incorporated into a differential diagnosis when evaluating an undifferentiated patient with AHC.
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Department of Emergency Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012769:Shock / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis