Definition: A condition with trapped gas or air in the PERITONEAL CAVITY, usually secondary to perforation of the internal organs such as the LUNG and the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, or to recent surgery. Pneumoperitoneum may be purposely introduced to aid radiological examination.
a disease; do not confuse with PNEUMOPERITONEUM, ARTIFICIAL, a radiogr technique; RETROPNEUMOPERITONEUM is also available: see note there
