title: Targeted helical CT of the acute abdomen: appendicitis, diverticulitis, and small bowel obstruction.
abstract: CT, especially helical CT, provides a fast and reliable modality for evaluation of the patient presenting with acute abdominal pain. Helical CT can provide an accurate diagnosis in the majority of patients and has found great utility in the evaluation of acute gastrointestinal emergencies, including acute appendicitis, diverticulitis, and small bowel obstruction. This article reviews proper helical CT technique, diagnostic imaging findings, and pitfalls of interpretation in evaluation of these acute abdominal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Urban
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Fishman
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004238:Diverticulitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media