Diagnostic Imaging of the Acute Abdomen

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.- 3.2 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.- 3.6 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.- 4.2 Acute Bowel Diseases.- 4.3 Acute Hemorrhage.- 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.- 5.2 Acute Abdomen in Infants.- 5.3 Acute Abdomen in Small and School-Age Children.- 6 Evaluation of Imaging Procedures in the Diagnosis of Acute Abdomen.- 7 Subject Index.