Role of MSCT (multi-slice computed tomography) in acute abdomen using 64-slice technology

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of computed tomography in different encountered non-renal, non-biliary acute abdominal disorders using 64-multislice technology.Subjective and methodsOver two years, a total of 500 patients having different acute abdominal disorders were encountered from those attending big trauma and emergency center and were retrospectively studied in this work. Each patient was thoroughly asked about the detailed clinical history after reviewing the referring imaging request and laboratory findings, except for non-cooperating patients. Exclusion criteria for CT were as follows: severe previous allergic reactions to iodine contrast media, renal insufficiency (creatinine level, >120 μmol/L or ⩾1.5 mg/L) and hemodynamic instability. All patients with clinically proven acute biliary or renal colic were also excluded from the study (U/S was the frontline imaging modality). CT examination was performed using a 64-multislice CT machine.ResultsCT examination was performed in a total of 500 patients. The average age of the patients was 45 yrs (range: 20–71 yrs) and nearly two thirds of the patients were male. All patients had severe abdominal pain. Fifty patients were alcoholic and 60 were diabetic. T.B. was seen in 10 patients and AIDS in one patient. Fever and constitutional symptoms were seen in 100 patients. Vomiting and/or constipation were seen in the majority of the patients. Acute pancreatitis, acute appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, perforated duodenal ulcer, peritonitis, diverticulitis, aortic dissection, aortic aneurysm, retroperitoneal infective fasciitis, torsion ovarian cyst and hemorrhagic adrenal tumor were the different acute abdominal disorders encountered in this work.ConclusionMultidetector CT provides an excellent means to detect a number of acute abdominal disorders and allows rapid assessment with high diagnostic accuracy. Communication with the referring physicians in the emergency department is the cornerstone of patient’s management. Using a 64-multislice scanner with a short scanning time and a minimum slice thickness, a high diagnostic accuracy is achieved with high resolution, excellent sagittal and coronal reformation, and minimum artifacts.