title: Ultrasound for pelvic pain II: nongynecologic causes.
abstract: Acute pelvic pain in women is a common presenting complaint that can result from various conditions. Because these conditions can be of gynecologic or nongynecologic origin, they may pose a challenge to the diagnostic acumen of physicians, including radiologists. A thorough workup should include clinical history, physical examination, laboratory data, and appropriate imaging studies, all of which should be available to the radiologist for evaluation. Ultrasound is the primary imaging modality in women with acute pelvic pain because of its high sensitivity, low cost, wide availability, and lack of ionizing radiation, particularly when a gynecologic disorder is suspected as the underlying cause. However, other modalities such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be very helpful, especially when a nongynecologic condition is suspected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. ackerman@musc.edu
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Ackerman
authors.forename: Abid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Irshad
authors.forename: Munazza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anis
mesh_terms: D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003092:Colitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004238:Diverticulitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008640:Mesenteric Lymphadenitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging