Abdominal computed tomography use in the
emergency department among children
with abdominal pain: a retrospective analysis
Dublin Core
Title
Abdominal computed tomography use in the
emergency department among children
with abdominal pain: a retrospective analysis
emergency department among children
with abdominal pain: a retrospective analysis
Subject
Abdominal pain, Abdominal computed tomography, Emergency department, Children
Description
Abstract
Background Acute abdominal pain is a common cause of visits to the pediatric emergency departments (ED). In
recent years, abdominal computed tomography (CT) has emerged as an increasingly used imaging modality due
to its diagnostic value in the evaluation of abdominal pain. This study aimed to determine the frequency of CT use
among children presenting to the ED with abdominal pain, and to identify the factors associated with CT use.
Methods A single-center, retrospective review of medical records was conducted, including children aged 3 to 15
years who presented to the ED at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) with abdominal pain
between January 1st and December 31, 2014. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected and analyzed
to assess predictors of CT use.
Results A total of 451 patients were included in the study, of whom 11.8% underwent abdominal CT. Appendicitis
was the most common abnormal finding (26%) seen on the abdominal CT scans followed by mesenteric adenitis
(25%), while one-quarter of CT scans yielded normal findings. Older age, right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain, leukocytosis,
and evaluation by an emergency medicine physician were significant predictors of CT use.
Conclusion This study sheds the light on the potential overuse of abdominal CT scan in children presenting to ED
with abdominal pain, exposing this vulnerable population to unnecessary radiation and adding financial burden.
Thus, these findings underscore the importance of implementing institutional guidelines and promoting the use of
non-ionizing imaging modalities.
Keywords Abdominal pain, Abdominal computed tomography, Emergency department, Children
Background Acute abdominal pain is a common cause of visits to the pediatric emergency departments (ED). In
recent years, abdominal computed tomography (CT) has emerged as an increasingly used imaging modality due
to its diagnostic value in the evaluation of abdominal pain. This study aimed to determine the frequency of CT use
among children presenting to the ED with abdominal pain, and to identify the factors associated with CT use.
Methods A single-center, retrospective review of medical records was conducted, including children aged 3 to 15
years who presented to the ED at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) with abdominal pain
between January 1st and December 31, 2014. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected and analyzed
to assess predictors of CT use.
Results A total of 451 patients were included in the study, of whom 11.8% underwent abdominal CT. Appendicitis
was the most common abnormal finding (26%) seen on the abdominal CT scans followed by mesenteric adenitis
(25%), while one-quarter of CT scans yielded normal findings. Older age, right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain, leukocytosis,
and evaluation by an emergency medicine physician were significant predictors of CT use.
Conclusion This study sheds the light on the potential overuse of abdominal CT scan in children presenting to ED
with abdominal pain, exposing this vulnerable population to unnecessary radiation and adding financial burden.
Thus, these findings underscore the importance of implementing institutional guidelines and promoting the use of
non-ionizing imaging modalities.
Keywords Abdominal pain, Abdominal computed tomography, Emergency department, Children
Creator
Sarah Khafaja1
, Sarah Salam Rizk1
, Samer El Hayek1
and Nadine Yazbeck1,2*
, Sarah Salam Rizk1
, Samer El Hayek1
and Nadine Yazbeck1,2*
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-01087-9
Date
2026
Contributor
peri irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Sarah Khafaja1
, Sarah Salam Rizk1
, Samer El Hayek1
and Nadine Yazbeck1,2*, “Abdominal computed tomography use in the
emergency department among children
with abdominal pain: a retrospective analysis,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 26, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12947.
emergency department among children
with abdominal pain: a retrospective analysis,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 26, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12947.