Transillumination for the diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum

Transillumination of the abdomen with a cold fibreoptic light source was used for the rapid diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum in a sick premature infant with necrotising enterocolitis. The diagnosis was confirmed at laparotomy. The neonate survived the surgical procedure of resection and anastomosis of the perforated gut. Although additional diagnostic investigations such as X-rays and paracentesis of the abdomen were also positive in this case, transillumination of the abdomen proved to be a useful tool for early diagnosis. Transillumination thus is a valuable modality for early diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum, especially where facilities for in-house X-rays are not available.