title: Spontaneous pneumoperitoneum in pediatric patients: A case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pneumoperitoneum frequently results in emergent surgery because it typically indicates an abdominal viscus perforation. However, this may not always be the case. There have been few recent reports in the pediatric population that document cases of pneumoperitoneum which could be considered for non-surgical management.
  
  
  METHODS
  This case series presents three different instances of pediatric patients with radiographic evidence of pneumoperitoneum who were subsequently found to have no perforated viscus following surgical intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend that in the absence of peritoneal signs, fever, leukocytosis, significant abdominal pain, distension, or clinical deterioration, non-operative management be considered in pediatric patients with radiographic signs of pneumoperitoneum.
authors.affiliation: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, 1300 S Coulter St., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA. Electronic address: caitlin.foster@ttuhsc.edu.
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tallant
authors.affiliation: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, 1300 S Coulter St., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA. Electronic address: aaron.tallant@ttuhsc.edu.
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tallant
authors.affiliation: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Department of Pediatrics, 1300 S Coulter St., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA. Electronic address: jason.nirgiotis@ttuhsc.edu.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nirgiotis
authors.affiliation: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Department of Pediatrics, 1300 S Coulter St., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA. Electronic address: janet.meller@ttuhsc.edu.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meller
keywords: Non-surgical management; Pediatric; Perforated viscus; Pneumoperitoneum