ˌpneumoperitoˈneum Med.
Also with hyphen.
[f. pneumo- + peritoneum.]
The presence of air or gas in the peritoneal cavity, whether accidentally or artificially induced.
| 1896 Trans. Amer. Assoc. Obstetr. & Gynecol. VIII. 212 Sacculated pneumo-peritoneum is frequently found in conjunction with localized appendiceal abscesses. 1934 Amer. Rev. Tuberculosis XXIX. 625 Therapeutic pneumoperitoneum has proved to be a technically simple and practicable treatment for intestinal tuberculosis. 1974 Passmore & Robson Compan. Med. Stud. III. xxviii. 3/1 A pelvic pneumoperitoneum may be induced with CO2 and the gas used as contrast medium to define the uterus and ovaries [for radiography], but this has been largely superseded by laparoscopy. |