Ultrasound Evaluation of the Acute Abdomen

This article reviews the role of high-resolution ultrasound in the evaluation of various nontraumatic conditions involving the biliary tree, liver, pancreas, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract that can cause acute abdominal pain. In addition, the ultrasound imaging findings of conditions resulting in acute intra-abdominal hemorrhage and select gynecological conditions that also can present with acute abdominal pain and mimic upper abdominal disease are discussed.