Role of helical computed tomography in evaluation of non traumatic acute abdomen

A series of 100 patients presenting with suspected diagnosis of non traumatic acute abdomen have been studied by helical computed tomography with the aim to diagnose the etiology of pain, to suggest the mode of management and also to compare CT findings with clinical, ultrasound and operative findings wherever surgery was done. In the present study, pancreatitis was the most common cause of non traumatic acute abdomen present in 40% of the cases. Abscess was the second most common cause present in 20% cases. Appendicitis and urolithiasis was seen equally in 10% cases followed by cholecystitis and intestinal obstruction in 5% cases each. No abnormality was seen in 10% cases. Helical CT is an effective technique in the evaluation of patients with non traumatic acute abdominal pain, and it should be considered as an initial imaging modality in the emergency department to obtain new diagnostic information for faster and more accurate diagnosis (MacKersie et al., 2005).