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Masselli G, Bonito G, Gigli S, Ricci P. Imaging of Acute Abdominopelvic Pain in Pregnancy and Puerperium-Part II: Non-Obstetric Complications. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2909. [PMID: 37761275 PMCID: PMC10528125 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13182909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Emergency imaging in pregnancy and puerperium poses unique challenges both for clinicians and radiologists, requiring timely and accurate diagnosis. Delay in treatment may result in poor outcomes for both the patient and the foetus. Pregnant and puerperal patients may present in the emergency setting with acute abdominopelvic pain for various complications that can be broadly classified into obstetric and non-obstetric related diseases. Ultrasonography (US) is the primary diagnostic imaging test; however, it may be limited due to the patient's body habitus and the overlapping of bowel loops. Computed tomography (CT) carries exposure to ionising radiation to the foetus, but may be necessary in selected cases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a valuable complement to US in the determination of the etiology of acute abdominal pain and can be used in most settings, allowing for the identification of a broad spectrum of pathologies with a limited protocol of sequences. In this second section, we review the common non-obstetric causes for acute abdominopelvic pain in pregnancy and post partum, offering a practical approach for diagnosis and pointing out the role of imaging methods (US, MRI, CT) with the respective imaging findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Masselli
- Department of Emergency Radiology-Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (P.R.)
| | - Giacomo Bonito
- Department of Emergency Radiology-Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (P.R.)
| | - Silvia Gigli
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sandro Pertini Hospital, Via dei Monti Tiburtini 385, 00157 Rome, Italy;
| | - Paolo Ricci
- Department of Emergency Radiology-Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (P.R.)
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Coutureau J, Mandoul C, Verheyden C, Millet I, Taourel P. Acute abdominal pain in women of reproductive age: keys to suggest a complication of endometriosis. Insights Imaging 2023; 14:94. [PMID: 37222834 DOI: 10.1186/s13244-023-01433-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Although endometriosis is a common gynecological condition in women of reproductive age, a complication of endometriosis is rarely considered as the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in that context. However, acute events in women with endometriosis can represent life-threatening conditions, which require emergent treatment and often surgical management. Mass effect of endometriotic implants can give rise to obstructive complications, specifically occurring in the bowel or in the urinary tract, while inflammatory mediators released by ectopic endometrial tissue can lead to inflammation of the surrounding tissues or to superinfection of the endometriotic implants. Magnetic resonance imaging is the best imaging modality to reach the diagnosis of endometriosis, but an accurate diagnosis is possible on computed tomography, especially in the presence of stellar, mildly enhanced, infiltrative lesions in suggestive areas. The aim of this pictorial review is to provide an image-based overview of key findings for the diagnosis of acute abdominal complications of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Coutureau
- Department of Medical Imaging, CHU Lapeyronie, Universitary Hospital of Montpellier, 371 Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, 34295, Montpellier, France.
| | - Caroline Mandoul
- Department of Medical Imaging, CHU Lapeyronie, Universitary Hospital of Montpellier, 371 Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, 34295, Montpellier, France
| | - Cecile Verheyden
- Department of Medical Imaging, CHU Lapeyronie, Universitary Hospital of Montpellier, 371 Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, 34295, Montpellier, France
| | - Ingrid Millet
- Department of Medical Imaging, CHU Lapeyronie, Universitary Hospital of Montpellier, 371 Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, 34295, Montpellier, France
| | - Patrice Taourel
- Department of Medical Imaging, CHU Lapeyronie, Universitary Hospital of Montpellier, 371 Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, 34295, Montpellier, France
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Gulati S, Rathi V, Bhatt S, Jain S. The Female Genital Tract on MDCT: A Pictorial Review of Normal Anatomy and Incidental Abnormalities. JOURNAL OF GASTROINTESTINAL AND ABDOMINAL RADIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1749675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This article aims to review the pertinent anatomy and the incidental abnormalities involving the female genital tract on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) through a pictorial review.
Methods The review is based on critical analysis of the existing literature as well as our experience in dealing with incidental lesions involving the female genital tract.
Results The lack of awareness regarding the normal appearances of the female pelvis on MDCT can puzzle the inexperienced radiologist and create management dilemmas for the treating clinician. It is important for radiologists to recognize normal appearances of the female genital tract on MDCT to prevent misinterpretation as pathology. The identification of incidentalomas of the female genital tract on CT can further guide whether additional workup is required or not. This pictorial review familiarizes radiologists with the normal appearances of the female genital tract on MDCT and a few common incidentalomas.
Conclusion It is imperative for a clinical radiologist to be familiar with the anatomy and common incidental lesions involving the female genital tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrea Gulati
- Department of Radiodiagnosis and Interventional Radiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Vinita Rathi
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - Shuchi Bhatt
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - Sandhya Jain
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
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Pulappadi VP, Manchanda S, Sk P, Hari S. Identifying corpus luteum rupture as the culprit for haemoperitoneum. Br J Radiol 2021; 94:20200383. [PMID: 32822245 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20200383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Corpus luteum rupture presenting as acute abdomen is an underdiagnosed condition. Though a self-limiting entity, its differentiation from other causes is essential to prevent unnecessary surgical procedures. The radiologist should be aware of the possibility of a ruptured haemorrhagic ovarian cyst in a female of reproductive age group presenting with pelvic pain and a large amount of haemorrhagic ascites. Imaging characteristically reveals a thick-walled cystic structure in the adnexa with internal echoes, focal discontinuity or irregularity of its wall with haemoperitoneum. While sonography is usually indicative of corpus luteum rupture, cross-sectional imaging (CT/MRI) can be used to confirm the diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Smita Manchanda
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Pritviraj Sk
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Smriti Hari
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Condella AL, Meguerdichian DA, Wilcox SR, Wittels KA. Abdominal Pain in a Young Woman. J Emerg Med 2020; 59:125-128. [PMID: 32591299 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2020.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Condella
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David A Meguerdichian
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Susan R Wilcox
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kathleen A Wittels
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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