Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 12, 2025
Author Spotlight: Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Gastric Content Assessment and Risk Stratification in Perioperative Care
Published on: September 22, 2023
Timely Diagnosis of Pneumoperitoneum by Point-of-care Ultrasound in the Emergency Department: A Case Series
Jung Yum1, Taryn Hoffman1, Leily Naraghi1
1Maimonides Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Brooklyn, New York.
Introduction:
Pneumoperitoneum is a life-threatening diagnosis that requires timely diagnosis and action. We present a case series of patients with perforated hollow viscus who were accurately diagnosed by emergency physicians using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) while in the emergency department (ED).
Case Series:
Three elderly patients presented to the ED with the complaints of syncope, abdominal pain with constipation, and unresponsiveness. The emergency physicians used POCUS to diagnose and then expedite the necessary treatment.
Conclusion:
Point-of-care ultrasound can be used by emergency physicians to diagnose pneumoperitoneum in the ED.
