ABDOMINAL RADIOGRAPHY IN THE ACUTE ABDOMEN Perspectives from a radiology resident, current research and possible future directions

Introduction The term acute abdomen is defined as the sudden onset of abdominal pain or discomfort. Because acute abdomens can be a clinical manifestation of myriad conditions, cases of acute abdomen can often be diagnostic challenges. Radiography plays pivotal role in the initial assessment of dogs with acute abdominal signs. The ability to obtain a rapid and accurate diagnosis is paramount in guiding appropriate medical and or surgical intervention. Survey radiography and abdominal ultrasonography (if available) are the current standard imaging modalities for evaluation of dogs with acute abdominal signs. Often radiographs alone can give valuable information about whether surgical intervention is warranted. Conditions readily diagnosed on survey films that will be discussed today include free gas, peritoneal effusions, GDV, small intestinal obstruction, splenic torsion, masses, body wall or diaphragmatic herniation and calculi.