Rigler's sign

Rigler's sign, also known as the double wall sign, is seen on an x-ray of the abdomen when air is present on both sides of the intestine; a Rigler's sign is present when air is present on the inside (lumenal side) and the outside (peritoneal side). Air in the peritoneum is considered abnormal, unless the patient had a recent abdominal surgery.

Additional recommended knowledge

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A false double wall sign can result from two loops of bowel being in contact with one another.^[1]

See also

• Football sign - another sign of pneumoperitoneum.

References

1. ^ de Lacey G, Bloomberg T, Wignall BK. Pneumoperitoneum: the misleading double wall sign. Clin Radiol. 1977 Jul;28(4):445-8. PMID 872511.

Sources

• Harkin DW, Blake G. Small bowel obstruction in a young adult. Postgrad Med J. 1999 Mar;75(881):173-5. PMID 10448501. Free Full Text.