Perforation
Perforation means a hole has formed in the wall of a hollow organ such as the bowel, stomach, or gallbladder.
When to get help quickly: This is an emergency. Someone with sudden severe abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, collapse, or a hard tender abdomen should go to the hospital urgently.
Common symptoms
Symptoms usually include sudden severe abdominal pain, swelling, fever, vomiting, weakness, and a very tender abdomen.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps confirm whether air or fluid has leaked into the abdomen or chest and helps doctors find the most likely site of the hole.
What radiology does
X-rays and CT are important because they can show free air, fluid, and the likely site of perforation.
What usually happens next
This often needs urgent surgical or emergency medical assessment.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.
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