N. Williams et Nw. Everson, RADIOLOGICAL CONFIRMATION OF INTRAPERITONEAL FREE GAS, Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 79(1), 1997, pp. 8-12
Although subdiaphragmatic gas on apt erect chest or abdominal radiogra
ph usually indicates the presence of a gastrointestinal perforation, t
his sign is present in only 60-80% of cases. Ether less wall known rad
iographic signs of perforation that may nonetheless he of utmost impor
tance in diagnosis are described. The presence of such signs may then
prompt further diagnostic procedures or surgical intervention as appro
priate.