New Roentgenographic Signs of Neonatal Gastric Perforation

Abstract

The roentgenographic findings in neonatal or congenital perforation of the stomach were reviewed in an attempt to distinguish gastric from distal perforation in cases with spontaneous pneumoperitoneum. The absence of a gastric air-fluid level on erect abdominal roentgenograms, together with normal or decreased gas in the small and large bowel, favors gastric perforation. Conversely, a gastric air-fluid level associated with significant small bowel distension suggests a small or large bowel perforation.