Will Plain Abdominal Radiographs become Obsolete?

Abstract

Citation ABSTRACTPlain abdominal radiographs are often used as the first line investigation in diagnosing abdominal pathologies such as bowel obstruction and gastrointestinal perforation. However, their interpretation can often be non-specific. Given the reduction in radiation doses in recent years, This article reviews the role of plain abdominal radiographs and other imaging modalities in bowel obstruction and gastrointestinal perforation.

Acute appendicitis in adults

“…18 A plain X-ray of the abdomen is commonly done in all patients presenting with abdominal pain. 19 Presence of a faecolith in the form of a radiopaque density and localized ileus in the region of the right lower abdomen are suggestive of the diagnosis. Faecal loading may be seen in patients presenting as right iliac fossa pain who are suffering from acute appendicitis.…”

Clinical Approach in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis

“…Although plain radiographic findings on the erect or supine plain abdominal films may have an ancillary role in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, they are neither sufficiently sensitive nor specific. Despite this, the role of plain abdominal radiographs will not become obsolete given the pragmatic difficulties in getting a CT scan as a first-line image and the risk of much greater radiation dose that a CT scan carries [59].…”

Factores de riesgo asociados a complicaciones postoperatorias por apendicitis aguda en pacientes mayores de 11 años durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2, en el Hospital de Apoyo Rezola Cañete – marzo 2022

“…Dentro de los exámenes imagenológicos, se realiza una radiografía simple de abdomen en aquellos pacientes con dolor abdominal. En la radiografía se puede apreciar una imagen densa radiopaca localizada a nivel del íleon que indica la presencia de un fecalito sugestivo de AA (43).…”