Ultrasound of the acute abdomen--Part V

Patients with an acute abdomen have complaints of brief duration which must be properly diagnosed and treated to reduce mortality and morbidity. There are a few instances, mostly involving massive haemorrhage, where the patient's condition is so poor that minutes count and a delay in operation will result in fatality. Imaging techniques have no role in these circumstances. In the majority of cases, however, there is time to make use of the various diagnostic imaging methods available to help arrive at the correct diagnosis. The role of ultrasound in this setting has been reviewed. Our own experience supports the view that it is an important modality for the investigation of patients with acute abdomen. It should be available on a round-the-clock basis.