A Rare Case of Spontaneous Idiopathic Pneumoperitoneum Presenting as Abdominal Pain

Abstract

Idiopathic spontaneous pneumoperitoneum is caused by free air in the peritoneum when no established cause has been diagnosed. We present the case of a 61-year-old male with idiopathic spontaneous pneumoperitoneum, which started as abrupt abdominal pain. He described burning abdominal pain radiating to his right shoulder and endorsed symptoms of nausea, abdominal bloating, and heartburn but denied fever, chills, or vomiting. Chest radiograph and computed tomography demonstrated massive amounts of free air under the diaphragm, concluding an extensive pneumoperitoneum. He was diagnosed by standard imaging modalities and then underwent diagnostic laparoscopy, which did not reveal any areas of perforation. Subsequently, the patient had an uncomplicated recovery. The complexity of diagnosis and treatment has made it difficult for surgeons to treat spontaneous pneumoperitoneum patients.