Evis Sala MD,PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Clare Beadsmore, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Thomas Groot-Wassink, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christopher Watson, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christopher Palmer, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Thomas Fanshawe, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Adrian K Dixon, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of early CT, in patients presenting as an emergency with acute abdominal pain, on the length of the hospital stay, radiological usage, diagnostic impact, morbidity and mortality

198 patients (126F:72M, age range 42-75 years) admitted with acute abdominal pain, were recruited in the study. 99 patients were randomised to each arm of the trial within 2 hours of admission (early CT arm versus a conventional AXR/CXR arm). CT was performed on a 16 detector CT System during portal phase enhancement. The final diagnosis was assessed at surgery or after 6 months follow-up.

There was no difference in the length of hospital stay between two arms (p=0.13). However patients in the CT arm underwent significantly (p<0.001) fewer further inpatient investigations: in the AXR/CXR arm, 47% of patients had at least one inpatient investigation, while 17% had two or more; in the CT arm, only 13% of patients had one or more investigations. Diagnostic confidence at 24 hours was increased for patients in the CT arm compared to those in the AXR/CXR arm. There was no difference in mortality at the time of discharge. The 6 months follow-up will be completed by April 2005.

The preliminary results indicate that early CT in patients presenting with acute abdominal pain leads to fewer in-patients investigations and thus may be more cost-effective than current standard practice (AXR/CXR).

Sala, E, Beadsmore, C, Groot-Wassink, T, Watson, C, Palmer, C, Fanshawe, T, Dixon, A, et al, , Evaluation of Early Computed Tomography in Patients Presenting with Non-specific Acute Abdominal Pain: A Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4413732.html