Pseudo-Rigler sign

Last revised by Bálint Botz on 12 Jan 2020

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Botz B, Bell D, Pseudo-Rigler sign. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 16 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-73244

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-73244

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/73244

rID:

73244

Article created:

2 Jan 2020, Bálint Botz ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Bálint Botz had no recorded disclosures.

View Bálint Botz's current disclosures

Last revised:

12 Jan 2020, Bálint Botz ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Bálint Botz had no recorded disclosures.

View Bálint Botz's current disclosures

Revisions:

3 times, by 2 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Gastrointestinal

Sections:

Signs

Synonyms:

PseudoRigler sign
Pseudo-Rigler's sign

The pseudo-Rigler sign is an important form of pseudopneumoperitoneum, and a mimicker of the classic Rigler (double wall) sign, that can be encountered normally on abdominal radiographs.

Radiographic features

The pseudo-Rigler sign can result from omental or mesenteric fat, or oral contrast media outlining the bowel loops, or due to overlapping gas-filled bowels making the wall contours more striking ^1-3.

Practical points

If the radiological appearance is equivocal, then erect or lateral decubitus views, or increasingly a CT exam may verify or rule out the presence of free gas.