Ultrasonography is superior to plain radiography in the diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to compare plain radiography with abdominal ultrasonography in the detection of pneumoperitoneum. Methods: A total of 188 patients with suspected hollow organ perforation were studied. All patients had abdominal ultrasonography, upright chest radiography and left lateral decubitus abdominal radiography examinations. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and accuracy of chest and abdominal radiography were compared with that of abdominal ultrasonography. Results: One hundred and seventy-eight patients underwent laparotomy; 170 patients had hollow organ perforation, five patients had perforated appendicitis and three had acute cholecystitis. In the diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum, ultrasonography had improved sensitivity (92 ver u 78 per cent), negative predictive value (39 ver u 20 per cent) and accuracy (88 ver u 76 per cent), and similar specificity (both 53 per cent) and positive predictive value (95 ver u 94 per cent) compared with plain radiography. Conclusion: Ultrasonography is more sensitive than plain radiography in the diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum.