Pneumoperitoneum associated with pneumothorax or pneumopericardium: a surgical dilemma in the injured patient.

Three cases of 'idiopathic pneumoperitoneum' following injury are reviewed. Two cases occurred several days after initial injury and were associated with post-traumatic pneumothorax and artificial respiration. It is likely that artificial respiration induced pneumoperitoneum in these cases. The third case of pneumoperitoneum occurred one hour after initial injury and was associated with bilateral pneumothoraces and pneumopericardium. Congenital abnormalities and tension pneumothorax were thought to account for this case of 'idiopathic pneumoperitoneum'.