BACKGROUND: Review the radiologic findings and clinical significance of tension pneumoperitoneum. CASE REPORT: Imaging case presented to radiology during patient's prolonged and complicated hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Tension pneumoperitoneum associated with barotrauma is a rare, but potentially life threatening complication of mechanical ventilation. The radiologist should be able to recognize the imaging findings associated with tension pneumoperitoneum in order to assist in diagnosis of this potentially reversible entity.
BACKGROUND: Review the radiologic findings and clinical significance of tension pneumoperitoneum. CASE REPORT: Imaging case presented to radiology during patient's prolonged and complicated hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Tension pneumoperitoneum associated with barotrauma is a rare, but potentially life threatening complication of mechanical ventilation. The radiologist should be able to recognize the imaging findings associated with tension pneumoperitoneum in order to assist in diagnosis of this potentially reversible entity.