The falciform ligament sign is a radiological sign observed on abdominal imaging in cases of pneumoperitoneum, where free intraperitoneal air outlines the falciform ligament. [1] This sign is considered a diagnostic indicator of free air within the abdominal cavity and is most commonly identified on computed tomography (CT) scans and less frequently in abdominal radiographs. [2] [3] [4]
The falciform ligament is a double-layered fold of peritoneum that connects the anterior abdominal wall to the anterosuperior surface of the liver. It contains the ligamentum teres (a remnant of the umbilical vein) in its free edge and lies within the midline, extending from the umbilicus to the inferior surface of the diaphragm. [5] [6] Under normal conditions, the falciform ligament is not visible on CT imaging unless surrounded by free air or fluid.
On CT, falciform ligament is seen as a linear high-attenuation structure outlined by low-attenuation free air. There may be associated findings such as the site for perforation or underlying pathology. [2]
Radiology is the medical specialty that uses medical imaging to diagnose diseases and guide treatment within the bodies of humans and other animals. It began with radiography, but today it includes all imaging modalities. This includes technologies that use no ionizing electromagnetic radiation, such as ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging), as well as others that do use radiation, such as computed tomography (CT), fluoroscopy, and nuclear medicine including positron emission tomography (PET). Interventional radiology is the performance of usually minimally invasive medical procedures with the guidance of imaging technologies such as those mentioned above.
The portal vein or hepatic portal vein (HPV) is a blood vessel that carries blood from the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen to the liver. This blood contains nutrients and toxins extracted from digested contents. Approximately 75% of total liver blood flow is through the portal vein, with the remainder coming from the hepatic artery proper. The blood leaves the liver to the heart in the hepatic veins.
Chilaiditi syndrome is a rare condition when pain occurs due to transposition of a loop of large intestine in between the diaphragm and the liver, visible on plain abdominal X-ray or chest X-ray.
Esophageal rupture, also known as Boerhaave syndrome, is a rupture of the esophageal wall. Iatrogenic causes account for approximately 56% of esophageal perforations, usually due to medical instrumentation such as an endoscopy or paraesophageal surgery. The 10% of esophageal perforations caused specifically by vomiting are termed Boerhaave syndrome.
The shoulder joint is structurally classified as a synovial ball-and-socket joint and functionally as a diarthrosis and multiaxial joint. It involves an articulation between the glenoid fossa of the scapula and the head of the humerus. Due to the very loose joint capsule, it gives a limited interface of the humerus and scapula, it is the most mobile joint of the human body.
Pneumoperitoneum is pneumatosis in the peritoneal cavity, a potential space within the abdominal cavity. The most common cause is a perforated abdominal organ, generally from a perforated peptic ulcer, although any part of the bowel may perforate from a benign ulcer, tumor or abdominal trauma. A perforated appendix seldom causes a pneumoperitoneum.
In human anatomy, the falciform ligament is a ligament that attaches the liver to the front body wall and divides the liver into the left lobe and right lobe. The falciform ligament is a broad and thin fold of peritoneum, its base being directed downward and backward and its apex upward and forward. It droops down from the hilum of the liver.
The ligamentum venosum, also known as Arantius' ligament, is the fibrous remnant of the ductus venosus of the fetal circulation. Usually, it is attached to the left branch of the portal vein within the porta hepatis. It may be continuous with the round ligament of liver.
The round ligament of the liver, ligamentum teres or ligamentum teres hepatis is a ligament that forms part of the free edge of the falciform ligament of the liver. It connects the liver to the umbilicus. It is the remnant of the left umbilical vein. The round ligament divides the left part of the liver into medial and lateral sections.
An acute abdomen refers to a sudden, severe abdominal pain. It is in many cases a medical emergency, requiring urgent and specific diagnosis. Several causes need immediate surgical treatment.
In human anatomy, the median umbilical ligament is an unpaired midline ligamentous structure upon the lower inner surface of the anterior abdominal wall. It is covered by the median umbilical fold.
The femoral head is the highest part of the thigh bone (femur). It is supported by the femoral neck.
In the course of the round ligament of the liver, small paraumbilical veins are found which establish an anastomosis between the veins of the anterior abdominal wall and the portal vein, hypogastric, and iliac veins. These veins include Burrow's veins, and the veins of Sappey – superior veins of Sappey and the inferior veins of Sappey.
The gastrosplenic ligament is part of the greater omentum extending between the stomach and the spleen. It contains several blood vessels.
An abdominal x-ray is an x-ray of the abdomen. It is sometimes abbreviated to AXR, or KUB.
Round ligament pain (RLP) is pain associated with the round ligament of the uterus, usually during pregnancy. RLP is one of the most common discomforts of pregnancy and usually starts at the second trimester of gestation and continues until delivery. It usually resolves completely after delivery although cases of postpartum RLP have been reported. RLP also occurs in nonpregnant women.
Pneumatosis is the abnormal presence of air or other gas within tissues.
A liver segment is one of eight segments of the liver as described in the widely used Couinaud classification in the anatomy of the liver. This system divides the lobes of the liver into eight segments based on a transverse plane through the bifurcation of the main portal vein, arranged in a clockwise manner starting from the caudate lobe.
In human anatomy, the liver is divided grossly into four parts or lobes: the right lobe, the left lobe, the caudate lobe, and the quadrate lobe. Seen from the front – the diaphragmatic surface – the liver is divided into two lobes: the right lobe and the left lobe. Viewed from the underside – the visceral surface – the other two smaller lobes, the caudate lobe and the quadrate lobe, are also visible. The two smaller lobes, the caudate lobe and the quadrate lobe, are known as superficial or accessory lobes, and both are located on the underside of the right lobe.
The continuous diaphragm sign is a radiological finding seen on chest X-rays that indicates the presence of gas within the thoracic cavity, specifically in the mediastinum (pneumomediastinum), the peritoneal cavity (pneumoperitoneum) or pericardium (pneumopericardium). This sign is characterized by the uninterrupted visualization of the diaphragm's contour across the midline, underlining both the right and left hemidiaphragms, which is normally obscured by the overlying heart and mediastinum.