Multidetector computed tomography of the acute abdomen in the immunocompromised host: a pictorial review
Simon P Spencer1, Niall Power, Rodney H Reznek
1Department of Radiology, St. Bartholomew's and The Royal London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom. simonpaulspencer@yahoo.com
Immunocompromised patients include those receiving chemotherapy for malignant disease, post-transplant patients, patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and those receiving steroids for autoimmune diseases. Advances in transplantation, oncology, and the treatment of AIDS have extended these patients' life expectancies and thereby increased the immunocompromised population. Classical clinical signs of abdominal sepsis may be absent in the immunocompromised host. Consequently, the radiologist is increasingly called on to diagnose specific acute intra-abdominal complications associated with immunodeficiency. This review describes the etiology of the acute abdomen in this heterogeneous group of immunocompromised patients, causes including opportunistic infections, neutropenic enterocolitis, complications of therapy, and opportunistic neoplasms. The typical radiological appearances of these conditions on multidetector computed tomography are illustrated. The challenges and limitations of multidetector computed tomography in diagnosing these conditions are discussed.
Immunocompromised patients include those receiving chemotherapy for malignant disease, post-transplant patients, patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and those receiving steroids for autoimmune diseases. Advances in transplantation, oncology, and the treatment of AIDS have extended these patients' life expectancies and thereby increased the immunocompromised population. Classical clinical signs of abdominal sepsis may be absent in the immunocompromised host. Consequently, the radiologist is increasingly called on to diagnose specific acute intra-abdominal complications associated with immunodeficiency. This review describes the etiology of the acute abdomen in this heterogeneous group of immunocompromised patients, causes including opportunistic infections, neutropenic enterocolitis, complications of therapy, and opportunistic neoplasms. The typical radiological appearances of these conditions on multidetector computed tomography are illustrated. The challenges and limitations of multidetector computed tomography in diagnosing these conditions are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
Computed Tomography
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...
Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
X-ray Imaging
Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT

