Impact of Unenhanced Computed Tomography (CT) in Elderly Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department With Acute Abdominal Pain

Accuracy of Unenhanced CT in Elderly Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department With Acute Abdominal Symptoms

The purpose of this study is to determine whether non-contrast abdominal computed tomography (CT) impacts management (diagnosis, need for surgery and treatment) in elderly patients admitted to the emergency department with abdominal pain.

A systematic unenhanced abdominal CT is performed in elderly patients admitted to the emergency patients with acute abdominal symptoms. Accuracy of unenhanced CT is assessed by comparing diagnosis and therapeutic management recorded before and after unenhanced CT versus gold standard diagnosis and management. Gold standard diagnosis and management are established at 3 month follow up, based on patient's medical records and a systematic telephone interview.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Elderly patients admitted to the emergency department (aged 75 year old and older)
• acute abdominal pain
• informed consent

Exclusion criteria:

• traumatic pain
• symptom duration of more than a week
• unability for the patient to give informed consent