Role of contrast enhanced computed
tomography abdomen in the evaluation
of elderly patients presenting to the
emergency with acute abdomen- prospective
observational study

Role of contrast enhanced computed
tomography abdomen in the evaluation
of elderly patients presenting to the
emergency with acute abdomen- prospective
observational study

CECT abdomen, Acute abdomen, Ultrasonography

Abstract
Background India’s elderly population is rapidly growing, with 149 million people aged 60 years and above in
2022, projected to double to 347 million by 2050. Diagnosing older adults with acute abdomen in the emergency is
challenging due to atypical presentations and poorer outcomes. While Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography
(CECT) of the abdomen is the imaging test of choice, administration of radiocontrast agents may prove to be a hurdle.
Thus, in this prospective observational study, we assessed the utility of CECT abdomen and pelvis in the evaluation of
abdominal pain among geriatric patients presenting to the emergency department.
Results This study included 100 patients with a median age of 67 years. Although abdomino-pelvic CECT did not
lead to a statistically significant change in diagnosis, it did help identify previously missed life-threatening conditions
in some patients. The treatment plan was significantly altered following the CECT scan. While there was no statistically
significant change in the overall disposition plan before and after the scan, a considerable proportion of patients
(~73.7%) initially planned for discharge required admission after undergoing CECT.
Conclusion This study underscores the pivotal role of CECT of the abdomen and pelvis in evaluating geriatric
patients presenting to the Emergency Department with acute abdominal symptoms.
Keywords CECT abdomen, Acute abdomen, Ultrasonography

Takshak Shankar1

, Nagasubramanyam Vempalli2*, Parvathy Sasidharan1

, Konda Sireesha2

, Salva Ameena3
,

Amrita Paul1

, Parina Tejpal1

, Devinder Kumar Lalotra1

and Aditya Sushant Mahalle1

2025

Peri Irawan

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