Article:

Non-Surgical Pneumoperitoneum

ABSTRACT Pneumoperitoneum is mostly caused by visceral perforation and surgical intervention; however non-surgical pneumoperitoneum has been reported without evidence of visceral disease. Blunt chest trauma causing an abrupt rise in thoracic pressure can leak air through the microscopic diaphragmatic defects or the mediastinum along perivascular connective tissue and cause pneumoperitoneum. We hereby present a case of non-surgical pneumoperitoneum after blunt chest trauma that was brought to the emergency department of college of medical sciences teaching hospital with features of bilateral pneumothorax with subcutaneous emphysema and abdominal distension which was diagnosed and managed promptly with bilateral chest drain and other supportive treatments. KEY WORDS Blunt chest trauma, non-surgical pneumoperitoneum, pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema