Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Emergency, CT, Digital radiography, Education, Acute, Trauma
Authors:
J. Sison, S. A. J. Bokhari
DOI:
10.26044/ranzcr2023/C-52
Imaging findings OR Procedure details
In the emergency radiology setting, ectopic air can frequently be a cause for alarm, such as with pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and portal venous gas. However, there are many benign conditions which may present radiographically with air in unusual locations. As a practicing radiologist, it is critical to be able to recognize these benign entities as such to avoid additional, unnecessary procedures or imaging.
Here, we will present numerous benign conditions which can produce air in unusual locations that we have encountered in our practice. Some conditions are common, while others have little mention in the literature. Representative examples include benign pneumatosis, vacuum phenomenon, pseudopneumoperitoneum, air within gallstones, pneumorrhachis, and air-containing post-mastectomy fluid collections. For each condition, we will describe its etiology and will also provide key imaging findings that help to distinguish it from pathology.