title: Imaging Patients With Alimentary Tract Perforation: Literature Review.
abstract: Alimentary tract perforation is a frequent emergency condition. Imaging plays an important role to make an accurate diagnosis, defining the presence, the level, and the cause of the perforation, essential information to enable the most correct therapeutic choice. Plain radiography is generally performed as the first choice. In case of a clinically suspected bowel perforation, not detected on x-ray imaging, the contribution of computed tomography is essential. Magnetic resonance is not yet widely used in diagnostic workup of patients with acute abdominal pain, but it can be useful in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in specific patients (pregnancy and pediatric patients).
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: angela.faggian@libero.it.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faggian
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berritto
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iacobellis
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reginelli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cappabianca
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grassi
mesh_terms: D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*