Detecting Pneumoperitoneum via Point-of-Care Abdominal Ultrasound: To See Beyond Touch.

Pneumoperitoneum leading to septic shock is a medical emergency, but diagnosis is frequently delayed as the physical examination and chest and abdominal x-rays may fail to detect the condition in the critically ill patient, leading to delayed medical and surgical intervention.There is a role for point-of-care abdominal ultrasound for the early diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum with the air reverberation artefact.Point-of-care ultrasound of the abdomen to identify intra-abdominal air is an important physical examination adjunct in undifferentiated septic shock and should be incorporated into the routine care of patients and included in the acute medicine training syllabus.