Gas-related artifacts in abdominal ultrasound: physical principles and acute abdominal emergencies

Abstract

This narrative review summarizes the physical principles and characteristic sonographic patterns of gas-related artifacts and focuses on their application in the rapid diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum, retroperitoneal gas, hepatic portal venous gas, and pneumatosis intestinalis. Recognition of pathological abdominal air should become an integral component of emergency abdominal ultrasound and POCUS.