Advances in imaging of the acute abdomen

While further imaging is usually not necessary for patients presenting with classic signs and symptoms of various acute abdominal pathologies, it is the atypical patients that require careful, appropriately tailored diagnostic imaging. This article reviews the current status of radiological imaging of the acute abdomen with particular attention to some of the recent advances in imaging techniques. Computed tomography (CT) remains the mainstay of imaging for the acute abdomen. Advances in CT have included the advent of helical CT imaging technique and reformation of image data to provide angiographic information. Improvements in ultrasound probes have lead to improved image resolution. MR imaging currently does not play a major role in the evaluation of the acute abdomen. The routine use of plain film abdominal radiography is often not helpful, except in the cases of suspected intestinal perforation or obstruction.