While further imaging is usually not necessary for patients presenting
with classic signs and symptoms of various acute abdominal pathologie
s, it is the atypical patients that require careful, appropriately tai
lored diagnostic imaging. This article reviews the current status of r
adiological 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 ref
ormation of image data to provide angiographic information. Improvemen
ts in ultrasound probes have lead to improved image resolution. MR ima
ging currently does not play a major role in the evaluation of the acu
te abdomen. The routine use of plain film abdominal radiography is oft
en not helpful, except in the cases of suspected intestinal perforatio
n or obstruction.