Introduction: About half of the adult patients suffering from chronic abdominal pain may have no organ-related cause. Our purpose was to evaluate the additional information of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing the underlying organic causes of such pain. Methods: We performed retrospective audit of 636 consecutive abdominal MRI in patients suffering from nonspecific abdominal pain (NSAP) during years 2014-2017. Medical history, clinical examination, endoscopy reports, and the results of MRI were compared in all patients. The hypothesis was that MRI increases markedly the diagnostic specificity of patients' symptoms. Results: The mean age of patients was 66 ± 14 years and 60 percent were females. Duration of abdominal pain ranged from 1 month to 30 years (median 1.1 ± 4.0 years). Concurrently with abdominal MRI (n = 636), also ultrasound (n = 106, 17%), colonoscopy (n = 222, 35%), and gastroscopy (n = 217, 34%) were performed. Abdominal MRI revealed additional information in 161/636 (25%) of NSAP patients. Spinal and pelvic bone abnormalities (n = 107) and malignant tumors (n = 31) were the most significant organ-specific findings changing the treatment algorithm. Conclusions: When computerized tomography is not available in outpatient clinics, abdominal MRI increases markedly diagnostic specificity and alters the treatment in 1 of 4 patients suffering from NSAP. Abdominal MRI is therefore suggested for patients suffering from severe symptoms of NSAP.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.