Diagnostic evaluation of [pregnant] patient with acute abdominal pain. The role of imaging modalities

ABSTRACT

Assess the pregnant patient with other causes of pain not related to pregnancy presenting to emergency department, using different imaging modalities and to review the basic principles of radiation safety. During 18 months, 55 pregnant patients were referred randomly from emergency department for evaluation of abdominal pain prospectively enrolled into our study. Pregnant with pregnancy-related causes such as premature contractions and other related causes were excluded. US evaluation for all patients including a careful search for gall bladder, kidneys, pancreas and appendix related causes. Clinical, surgical, and/or imaging follow-up data were obtained in some patients. Out of 55 patients, 28[50.90%] were confirmed to have an eight with gall-bladder stones [14.54%] five with hydronephrosis related to pregnancy [9.08%], two of renal calculi [3.63%] one had bowel obstruction and pancreatitis [1.81%],seven with pyelonephritis[12.72%], and four with appendicitis [7.27%]. There is an increased incidence of acute abdomen during pregnancy though clinical pictures sometimes get blunted due to gravid uterus. Early diagnosis followed by surgical intervention if needed decrease morbidity for both mother and fetus, also enhances our knowledge of the principles of radiation safety