Pneumogastrogram in the diagnosis of perforated peptic ulcer.

Early diagnosis and surgical intervention is important in the management of peptic ulcer perforation. This study looks at the value of a pneumogastrogram in the diagnosis of patients suspected of having a perforated peptic ulcer. One hundred and twenty-nine patients were studied. Pneumogastrogram increased the diagnostic yield of pneumoperitoneum from 66% following plain erect X-ray examination to 91%. The procedure was free of complications.