Here's a video I made breaking down one the most impressive X-Rays of this medical emergency you will ever see #FOAMed

I’m an ER Doctor and I use this account to teach people about medical emergencies—follow me if you’re interested in learning about them

Impressive case! For context, shown here is a tension pneumoperitoneum, which is a critical condition characterized by the accumulation of excessive free air in the peritoneal cavity, leading to increased intra-abdominal pressure and potentially causing respiratory distress, cardiovascular collapse, and severe abdominal pain. It often results from gastrointestinal perforations, postoperative complications, trauma, or infections. Diagnosis typically involves clinical evaluation and imaging such as X-rays or CT scans to confirm the presence of free air. Immediate treatment is necessary and may include emergency decompression with a needle or catheter, surgical repair of the perforation, and supportive care to manage symptoms and stabilize the patient. Prompt intervention is essential to prevent life-threatening complications.

Absolutely fascinating. I’m not a doctor, but even I could tell there was something massively wrong with this image and it looked like there was so much space in it, yes. I guessed prolapsed diaphragm. I don’t even know if that’s an actual term but it looks like the diaphragm was out of place to me, which was would’ve been causing breathing difficulty, obviously, and displacing the heart and lungs or squashing them. Can I get a partial credit for that? Lol.

Granted

Veterinarian here - I recognized this immediately🏆 Vets see LOTS of weird stuff and animals are tough as hell. I suspect the cause is gastric perforation exacerbated by aerophagia from labored breathing -assuming a colonic perf would lead to rapid decompensation from sepsis?

Yes if perforated viscous, profound sepsis, septic shock, and death would ensue without intervention.

Wow!!! You always have the most interesting cases and explain them in such a wonderful way. Of all the people who post here, you have most probably saved more lives than anyone else.

Thanks so much for your kind words!

Have you ever thought about reading e-books? Your voice is very soothing 😂

That’s very kind thank you