title: Evaluating the Acute Abdomen in the Pregnant Patient.
abstract: Acute abdominal pain in pregnancy presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Ultrasound remains the primary imaging investigation of the pregnant abdomen because of its availability, portability, and lack of ionizing radiation. MR imaging has been shown to be useful in the diagnosis of gynecologic and obstetric problems and in the setting of acute abdomen during pregnancy. MR imaging is often used when ultrasound is inconclusive. Computed tomography is the investigation of choice when there is a life-threatening situation and in case of traumatic injuries, when a rapid diagnosis is required.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University, Viale del Policlinico 155, Rome 00161, Italy. Electronic address: g.masselli@policlinicoumberto1.it.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Masselli
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological, Obstetrical and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, Viale del Policlinico 155, Rome 00161, Italy.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Derme
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University, Viale del Policlinico 155, Rome 00161, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Laghi
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological, Obstetrical and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, Viale del Policlinico 155, Rome 00161, Italy.
authors.forename: Marialuisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Framarino-dei-Malatesta
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University, Viale del Policlinico 155, Rome 00161, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gualdi
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D052878:Urolithiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Acute abdominal pain; Computed tomography; MR imaging; Pregnancy; Ultrasound