[Imaging studies in the diagnosis of functional abdominal disorders]

Functional abdominal disorders are predominantly diagnosed on the basis of a thorough history and clinical examination. It is a challenge to clinicians to define the adequate place of imaging studies in order to rule out relevant organic disease. In functional dyspepsia, oesphago-gastroduodensoscopy and abdominal ultrasound are widely used as first line studies. Although irritable bowel syndrome is mainly diagnosed on clinical grounds, in patients over 50 years of age colonoscopy is almost mandatory, taking into account the importance of screening for colorectal cancer. In constipation-dominant irritable bowel syndrome, a marker study to determine colonic transit time will be helpful to differentiate this disorder from true slow transit constipation. Chronic or recurrent abdominal pain often warrants abdominal CT scan. Select cases are referred for laparoscopy.