title: Role of CT in the acute nontraumatic abdomen.
abstract: The diagnostic workup of the acute abdomen always begins with a precise clinical history, a complete physical examination, and careful reading of plain films. Commonly performed additional imaging studies include contrast examination and, more recently, ultrasound. CT offers the advantage of allowing a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of both solid and hollow viscera in neoplastic as well as in inflammatory and vascular disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Taourel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pradel
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fabre
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cover
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Senéterre
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bruel
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000208:Acute Disease; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002761:Cholangitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008643:Mesentery; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011704:Pyelonephritis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed