The Utility of CT Scan in Chronic Abdominal Pain

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic abdominal pain (CAP) is a common problem encountered in clinical practice globally and even in India. Often it has a nonspecific clinical presentation and vague symptomatology and the exact cause remains elusive despite of extensive evaluation. Aim of the study: To assess the utility of CT scan findings in adults with chronic abdominal painMaterials and Methods: This was a prospective study carried out in the department of Radiodiagnosis over a period of seven months. All the out-patient and admitted cases of chronic abdominal pain, who were referred for CT scan were included in the study and the etiology was looked for.Results: There were a total of 62 patients. The patient age ranged from 20 years to 78 years. There were 34 males and 28 females and the male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Commonly encountered cases were of abdominal tuberculosis, gall stones, primary or metastatic malignancy of the viscera, recurrent appendicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, etc. The CT scan was inconclusive in 9.6% cases. Conclusion: Chronic abdominal pain has varied presentations and varied etiologies.Careful review of clinical history and prior testing is essential to avoid unnecessary repetition of investigations.CT scan findings are helpful in some of the cases but are not necessarily the first choice of investigation. Other radiological modalities are aloto be used as per the most likely suspected etiology. Inspite of CT scan testing, there will be some cases which remain unresolved etiology-wise.