1 Clinical Examination and Symptoms.- 2 Imaging Techniques and Systematic Image Analysis (in Adults).- 2.1 Plain Abdominal Radiography.- 2.2 Real-Time Ultrasonography.- 2.3 Computed Tomography.- 2.4 Angiography.- 3 Radiographic, Sonographic, and Computed Tomographic Findings.- 3.1 Pathologic Gaseous Distension of the Intestinal Tract.- 3.1.1 Pathologic Gastric Distension.- 3.1.2 Duodenal Distension.- 3.1.3 Distension Limited to the Small Bowel.- 3.1.4 Distension Limited to the Colon.- 3.1.5 Combined Distension of the Small and Large Bowel.- 3.2 Pathologic Thickening of the Bowel Wall - Separation of Gas-Filled Bowel Loops - Mucosal Alterations.- 3.3 Intraperitoneal Fluid Collections.- 3.4 Extraperitoneal Fluid Collections.- 3.5 Pathologic Gas Collections.- 3.5.1 Free Intraperitoneal Gas (Pneumoperitoneum).- 3.5.2 Extraperitoneal Gas Collections.- 3.5.3 Pathologie Gas Collections in Organ Parenchyma.- 3.5.4 Intraluminal and Intramural Gas Collections in Canalicular Structures and Hollow Viscera.- 3.6 Intra-abdominal Masses.- 3.7 Calcifications.- 3.8 Foreign Bodies.- 4 Major Diseases Associated with Acute Abdomen and Their Accessibility to Diagnostic Imaging.- 4.1 Acute Inflammatory Abdominal Diseases.- 4.1.2 Acute Pancreatitis.- 4.1.3 Diffuse Peritonitis.- 4.1.4 Acute Appendicitis.- 4.1.5 Absces.- 4.1.5.1 Intraperitoneal Abscesses.- 4.1.5.2 Extraperitoneal Abscesses.- 4.2 Acute Bowel Diseases.- 4.2.1 Mechanical Obstruction of the Small Bowel.- 4.2.2 Mechanical Obstruction of the Large Bowel.- 4.2.3 Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction (Atonic, Adynamic, Paralytic, Functional Ileus).- 4.2.4 Acute Intestinal Ischemia - Mesenteric Infarction.- 4.2.5 Toxic Megacolon.- 4.3 Acute Hemorrhage.- 4.3.1 Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage.- 4.3.2 Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage.- 4.3.3 Intramural Intestinal Hemorrhage.- 4.3.4 Acute Intraperitoneal Hemorrhage (of Nontraumatic Cause).- 4.4 Acute Retroperitoneal Disorders.- 4.5 Acute Abdominal Trauma.- 4.6 Soft-Tissue Lesions of the Abdominal Wall and Back That Produce Acute Symptoms.- 4.7 Acute Diseases of the Lesser Pelvis.- 4.8 Acute Abdomen Following Operative and Diagnostic Procedures.- 5 Special Features of Acute Abdominal Disorders in Children.- 5.1 Acute Abdomen in Newborns.- 5.1.1 High Intestinal Obstruction.- 5.1.2 Low Intestinal Obstruction.- 5.1.3 Intestinal Pneumatosis.- 5.1.4 Pneumoperitone.- 5.1.5 Intra-abdominal Calcifications.- 5.1.6 Fluid Collections.- 5.1.7 Rare Causes of Acute Abdomen in Newborns.- 5.2 Acute Abdomen in Infants.- 5.2.1 Paralytic Ileus.- 5.2.2 Mechanical Bowel Obstruction.- 5.3 Acute Abdomen in Small and School-Age Children.- 5.3.1 Acute Appendicitis.- 5.3.2 Mechanical Bowel Obstruction.- 5.3.3 Other Causes of Abdominal Complaints.- 5.3.4 Recurring Abdominal Pain.- 6 Evaluation of Imaging Procedures in the Diagnosis of Acute Abdomen.- 7 Subject Index.

The acute abdomen is one of the most frequent, most dangerous and most difficult problems that the diagnostic radiologist has to deal with. This comprehensive manual presents a clinico-radiologic approach to the use of diagnostic imaging techniques for acute abdominal conditions. Imaging techniques, radiologic symptoms and clinical conditions are treated separately. This lucid format, together with a detailed subject index, offer the reader a quick and reliable reference aid in daily practice. The text is clearly structured and concise in style, and provides helpful practical hints, including discussion of diagnostic pitfalls. It is supported by a wealth of illustrations covering native diagnosis, ultrasonography, computer tomography and angiography.