Pseudopneumoretroperitoneum

Pseudopneumoretroperitoneum is the radiographic finding of gas within the abdominal region that mimics the appearance of pneumoretroperitoneum (cf. the analogous pseudopneumoperitoneum i.e. abdominal gas that erroneously suggests pneumoperitoneum).

Causes of pseudopneumoretroperitoneum include:

• pneumoperitoneum
• subcutaneous emphysema
• hepatic/splenic abscess
• subphrenic abscess
• renal sinus fat
• excessive retroperitoneal adiposity
• psoas muscle fat