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Published on: December 18, 2010
The acute abdomen in the immune compromised host
1Department of Radiology, St. Bartholomew's and The Royal London Hospitals, London, UK. simonpaulspencer@yahoo.com
Summary
Radiologists face challenges diagnosing acute abdominal conditions in immunocompromised patients due to atypical presentations. This review covers causes, radiological findings, and diagnostic limitations for the immunocompromised host.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Advances in transplantation, oncology, and AIDS therapy have increased survival rates for immunocompromised patients.
- These patients face significant morbidity and mortality from complications of their therapies.
- Diagnosing intra-abdominal pathology in immunocompromised individuals is difficult due to absent classical signs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the causes of acute abdomen in immunocompromised patients.
- To illustrate the typical radiological appearances of common conditions.
- To discuss challenges and limitations in radiological diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on acute abdomen in immunocompromised hosts.
- Analysis of radiological findings for common intra-abdominal pathologies.
- Discussion of diagnostic difficulties and limitations.
Main Results:
- Immunocompromised patients present with atypical signs of intra-abdominal disease.
- Specific radiological appearances are associated with various conditions in this population.
- Radiological diagnosis requires careful consideration of the patient's immune status.
Conclusions:
- Radiologists play a critical role in diagnosing acute abdominal complications in immunocompromised patients.
- Understanding the varied presentations and radiological features is essential for accurate diagnosis.
- Further research may improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.
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