title: Multidetector CT in emergency radiology: acute and generalized non-traumatic abdominal pain.
abstract: Multidetector CT (MDCT) is an imaging technique that provides otherwise unobtainable information in the diagnostic work-up of patients presenting with acute abdominal pain. A correct working diagnosis depends essentially on understanding the individual patient's clinical data and laboratory findings. In haemodynamically stable patients with acute severe and generalized abdominal pain, MDCT is now the preferred imaging test and gives invaluable diagnostic information, also in unstable patients after stabilization. In this descriptive review, we focus our attention on acute, severe and generalized or undifferentiated non-traumatic abdominal pain. The main differential diagnoses are acute pancreatitis, gastrointestinal perforation, ruptured abdominal aneurysm and acute mesenteric ischaemia. We will provide radiologist readers with a technical guide to optimize MDCT imaging protocols and list the major CT signs essential to reach a correct diagnosis and guide the best treatment.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, San Giovanni Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paolantonio
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Pathology, Sapienza-University Rome, Polo Pontino, ICOT Hospital, Latina, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rengo
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Emergency Radiology, San Camillo Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Pathology, Sapienza-University Rome, Polo Pontino, ICOT Hospital, Latina, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laghi
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000208:Acute Disease; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004630:Emergencies; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D065666:Mesenteric Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging