The Football Sign

Abstract

The football sign, which is seen on supine abdominal radiographs, refers to a large oval radiolucency in the shape of an American football (1). The long axis of the "football" runs cephalocaudad, and the blunted ends are defined by the diaphragm and pelvic floor. A well-defined and vertically oriented linear opacity may be identified within the cephalic portion of the radiolucency, overlying the right upper abdomen. An additional, well-defined and vertically oriented linear opacity may be seen within the caudal portion of the radiolucency, overlying the midline of the lower abdomen.

Falciform Ligament Sign After Shock Episode in an Elderly Man

“…There are several characteristic findings on abdominal plain film to demonstrate the evidence of pneumoperitoneum, including the falciform ligament sign, right upper quadrant air, Rigler's (double wall) sign, the inverted V sign, and the football sign (1)(2)(3)(4). The falciform ligament is the embryological remnant of the umbilical artery.…”

Tension pneumoperitoneum: bedside management and safe transfer

“…Male gender is overrepresented in several medical conditions and in complications during the perinatal period and infancy, although the origin of this sex-related vulnerability is not fully understood. Severe perinatal acidaemia and encephalopathy are examples of the statistically more frequent complications among boys (1). Similarly, sudden infant death syndrome (2), brain tumors (3), congenital hydrocephalus, neurodevelopmental malformations, epilepsy and cerebral palsy are more frequent in male than female infants, worldwide.…”

“…On day 2 of life she developed tense abdominal distension with erythema. An abdominal X-ray showed a large pneumoperitoneum [1]. She was re-ventilated and transferred to our tertiary referral centre for surgical management.…”

A Case Report of the Transport of an Infant With a Tension Pneumopericardium

“…This football sign is due to free air outlining the periphery of the peritoneal cavity. 37 The abdominal free air may outline the falciform ligament, which may be visible as a thin vertical opacity in the right upper abdomen, representing the football seam. Pneumoperitoneum in the presence of a pulmonary air leak is highly suggestive of a barotrauma etiology; however, it does not exclude a GI tract perforation.…”