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Perforation of the gastrointestinal tract and pneumoperitoneum in newborns treated with continuous lung distending pressures

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Abstract

In newborns with respiratory distress being treated with continuous lung distending pressures, the development of pneumoperitoneum could be a manifestation of an air-block phenomenon but it can also be due to a real perforation of the bowel. When this clinical situation arises upright films or cross-table lateral films will be helpful to demonstrate air fluid levels and some consideration should be given to inserting aqueous contrast material into the stomach and take sequential films in order to demonstrate the presence or absence of a perforation. Six illustrative cases are reported.

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Leonidas, J., Berdon, W.E., Baker, D.H. et al. Perforation of the gastrointestinal tract and pneumoperitoneum in newborns treated with continuous lung distending pressures. Pediatr Radiol 2, 241–245 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00972697

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00972697

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