Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Emergency, CT, Digital radiography, Education, Acute, Trauma
Authors:
J. Sison, S. A. J. Bokhari
DOI:
10.26044/ranzcr2023/C-52
Conclusion
Ectopic air can frequently be a harbinger of pathology. Conditions such as portal venous gas, pneumatosis, and pneumoperitoneum appropriately raise alarm for associated pathology. However, ectopic air is not always indicative of an underlying problem and can be associated with numerous benign entities. Here we present benign causes of ectopic air to demonstrate important radiologic concepts, such as the vacuum phenomenon and the continuity of fascial planes. We stress the importance of relating the patient’s history and clinical status to imaging findings to increase confidence in one’s diagnosis.
After participating in this educational activity, the radiologist should be better able to recognize benign circumstances where air can be found in atypical locations, to describe their etiologies, and to distinguish these conditions from pathologic ones.