Therapeutic impact of abdominopelvic computed tomography in patients with acute abdominal symptoms

Purpose: To determine the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) in patients with acute abdominopelvic pain. Material and Methods: Referring clinicians completed pre-CT and post-CT questionnaires for 50 patients in whom CT had been requested because of acute abdominopelvic pain. Clinicians recorded their leading diagnosis, confidence in this, and intended management. Following CT, clinicians again recorded these responses in the light of CT findings. Responses pre-CT and post-CT were compared in order to determine diagnostic and therapeutic impact. Results: Diagnostic confidence rose significantly following CT (mean score 6.8 pre-CT versus 8.3 post-CT; P<0.0001). Intended management changed because of CT findings in 29 (58%) patients: 14 (28%) subjects whose intended management was surgical were treated medically and an additional 2 were transferred to gynecological care; 4 patients whose intended management was medical were treated surgically; 2 patients whose intended management was medical were treated by percutaneous drainage; a patient whose intended management was percutaneous drainage was treated by surgery. Of 6 patients with uncertain management pre-CT, 2 were treated surgically and 4 medically. The leading diagnosis also changed as a consequence of CT in 7 (33%) of 21 patients in whom intended management did not alter. Conclusion: CT in patients with acute abdominopelvic pain has considerable diagnostic and therapeutic impact, altering management in 58% of patients studied. The major effect is to avert intended laparotomy.