[Detectability of intraperitoneal free air by ultrasonography].

PURPOSE: We evaluated the role of ultrasonography in the detection of pneumoperitoneum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients who had been diagnosed as acute abdomen and pneumoperitoneum were evaluated by ultrasonography and direct radiographies. An additional ultrasonographic feature named "scissoring technique" was also evaluated.

RESULTS: All patients had pneumoperitoneum in ultrasonographic and radiographic examination. The radiologic findings were verified with surgical results. The scissoring technique was found to be as accurate as other sonographic and radiographic sings.

CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography is a sensitive technique for diagnosing pneumoperitoneum and it can be safely used as a first line imaging modality. If future studies confirm, the scissoring technique can be used in the ultrasonographic diagnosis of the pneumoperitoneum.