Learning objectives
The aim of the study is to demonstrate,
through high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
the imaging aspects of the main diagnoses of abdominal pain.
Background
Acute abdominal pain is one of the most frequent reasons for admission to the emergency room (ER).
Sometimes it demonstrates challenging clinical presentations.
The main causes of acute abdominal pain include inflammatory processes; infectious diseases; vascular affections; neoplasms; and other miscellaneous conditions.
MRI has gained increasing importance in this type of evaluation,
due to a proven history of being frequently diagnostic,
non-use of ionizing radiation and ability to provide excellent tissue contrast,
and can be performed without the use of contrast medium.
Findings and procedure details
Patients with abdominal painfrom aprivate hospital in São Paulo-Brazilwere evaluated by MRI.
HEPATITIS
ACUTE CALCULOUS CHOLECYSTITIS AND CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS
CHOLELITHIASIS AND CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS
ACUTE OEDEMATOUS PANCREATITIS
ACUTE PYELONEPHRITIS
APPENDICITIS
COMPLICATED DIVERTICULITIS
EPIPLOIC APPENDAGITIS
OMENTAL INFARCT
COMPLICATED INGUINAL HERNIA
ANAL FISTULA WITH ABSCESS
ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
RUPTURED TUBAL ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
HEMATOSALPINX
OVARIAN TORSION WITH TERATOMA
DISSECTING ANEURYSM OF ABDOMINAL AORTA WITH PARTIAL THROMBOSIS OF FALSE LUMEN
INFERIOR VENA CAVA THROMBOSIS
SUPERIOR MESENTERIC VENA THROMBOSIS
Conclusion
MDCT and ultrasonography are the methods of choice in the initial assessment of patients with acute abdominal pain due to their accessibility and convenience.
Although MRI is typically reserved for pediatric populations,
pregnant patients and special cases,
it has gained increasing importance due to: being frequently diagnostic; non-use of ionizing radiation; ability to provide excellent tissue contrast; and it can be performed without the use of the contrast medium.
However,
MRI isn’t easily accessible due to its high cost and time to acquire images,
requiring...
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