Management of incidentally detected idiopathic pneumoperitoneum: A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION: Pneumoperitoneum usually requires emergency surgery. Asymptomatic idiopathic pneumoperitoneum is a rare subgroup of pneumoperitoneum for which a management algorithm has not been established. PRESENTATION OF CASE: In an 88-year-old female patient, pneumoperitoneum was found incidentally by chest computed tomography during a periodic follow-up for sarcoidosis. Emergency admission was ordered for conservative treatment. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed edematous mucosa in the entire gastric vestibule. After being discharged on the 7th day, her clinical course was uneventful over 2 months of follow-up. DISCUSSION: The initial clinical manifestations of pneumoperitoneum are variable and range widely from asymptomatic to septic shock. The etiology of pneumoperitoneum in our patient implied a subclinical visceral perforation that resolved without treatment. We advocate an algorithm for the initial management of pneumoperitoneum according to the extent of peritonitis and impaired conditions. CONCLUSION: Incidentally found asymptomatic pneumoperitoneum does not always require intervention. Careful and repeated physical assessment with investigation of underlying etiology is important in the management of pneumoperitoneum.