MediAI

  Introduction: A Silent Emergency That Demands Immediate Attention A 70-year-old woman arrives at the emergency department with worsening abdominal distension and pain for three days. She is frail, tachypneic, and visibly distressed. Her medical history includes glioblastoma treated with corticosteroids. Imaging reveals a critical finding: free air under the diaphragm —a hallmark of pneumoperitoneum . Within hours, her condition deteriorates. This is not just a clinical scenario—it is a powerful reminder of how rapid CT scan diagnosis and radiology interpretation can determine life or death in emergency settings. What Is Pneumoperitoneum? Pneumoperitoneum refers to the presence of free gas within the peritoneal cavity , typically due to perforation of a hollow viscus such as the stomach or intestines. Key Causes Gastrointestinal perforation (most common) Peptic ulcer disease Trauma (blunt or penetrating) Postoperative residual air Infection (gas-forming organisms) Iatrogenic cau...