Pneumoperitoneum is most often associated with gastrointestinal perforation, but rare extra-digestive causes exist. Gangrenous cystitis is a severe and uncommon bladder infection that can exceptionally lead to pneumoperitoneum.We report a case of pneumoperitoneum secondary to gangrenous cystitis in a 31-year-old patient initially hospitalized for dorso-lumbar trauma. The postoperative course was complicated by a severe urinary tract infection. One month later, abdominal computed tomography revealed pneumoperitoneum with a thickened, heterogeneous bladder wall suggestive of gangrenous cystitis. Emergency surgical exploration showed a necrotic, gangrenous bladder without any gastrointestinal perforation.Gangrenous cystitis can rarely present with pneumoperitoneum and mimic gastrointestinal perforation. Early recognition and prompt surgical management are crucial for patient recovery.
Abdelillah et al. (Fri,) studied this question.