Emergency Radiology of the Abdomen and Pelvis: Imaging of the Nontraumatic and Traumatic Acute Abdomen

Abstract

A very large range of disorders, from benign, self-limited conditions, to processes requiring emergency surgery, can present with acute abdominal and pelvic pain. The radiologist plays a substantial role in the routine diagnosis and management of patients with these disorders. Similarly, the radiologist plays a major role in the routine evaluation of patients with abdominal and pelvic trauma, whether blunt or penetrating. Computed tomography (CT) remains the mainstay of the evaluation of such patients, although protocols have evolved along with technological advancements. Ultrasound (US) has a continued important role, particularly for evaluation of right upper quadrant pain, for evaluation of suspected gynecologic disorders, and for evaluation of pediatric and pregnant patients with an acute abdomen. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a growing role for initial evaluation as well as follow-up of selected patients with a variety of acute abdominal and pelvic conditions (usually non-traumatic). Although it is not possible to cover every aspect of imaging of acute non-traumatic and traumatic conditions of the abdomen and pelvis in a single chapter, an overview is presented, with key concepts and teaching points.