Abdominal Pain in the Emergency Department: How to Select the Correct Imaging for Diagnosis

Carmen Wolfe, Maglin Halsey-Nichols, Kathryn Ritter, Nicole McCoin

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Abdominal pain is a common presenting complaint in the emergency department, and utilization of diagnostic imaging is often a key tool in determining its etiology. Plain radiography has limited utility in this population. Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging modality of choice for undifferentiated abdominal pain. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging may be helpful in specific scenarios, primarily in pediatrics and pregnancy, and offer the benefit of eliminating ionizing radiation risk of CT. Guidance for imaging selection is determined by location of pain, special patient considerations, and specific suspected etiologies. Expert guidance is offered by the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria® which outlines imaging options based on location of pain.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)335-345
Number of pages11
JournalOpen Access Emergency Medicine
Volume14
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • appendicitis
  • computed tomography
  • radiograph
  • ultrasound

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Emergency

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