Huge hydro pneumoperitoneum reported as complication of perforated duodenal ulcer with interesting images

Pan Afr Med J. 2019 Dec 30:34:217. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2019.34.217.20829. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

This case has interesting images of huge hydro pneumoperitoneum. It is a rare view in the medical practice and a good point to learn one of the complications of perforated duodenal ulcer and failure of omental patch operation. We reported a case of acute abdominal pain with hydro pneumoperitoneum that appeared as an air fluid line in X-ray. The patient had an omental patch surgery. Two days after the operation he got severe abdominal pain. The X-ray images showed significant huge hydro pneumoperitoneum. He underwent urgent surgical intervention for exploration that detected a large amount of gases, a biliary free fluid and a leak from duodenal ulcer. Omental buttressing was then performed.

Keywords: Abdominal pain; hydro pneumoperitoneum; perforated duodenal ulcer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Duodenal Ulcer / complications*
  • Duodenal Ulcer / diagnosis
  • Duodenal Ulcer / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Omentum / surgery
  • Peptic Ulcer Perforation / complications*
  • Peptic Ulcer Perforation / diagnosis
  • Peptic Ulcer Perforation / surgery
  • Pneumoperitoneum / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumoperitoneum / etiology*