Spectrum of CT Findings and Etiological Profile of Non-Traumatic Acute Abdomen in Adults: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Non-traumatic acute abdomen comprises a wide spectrum of abdominal disorders requiring prompt diagnosis for appropriate treatment. Clinical presentation frequently overlaps among different diseases, making accurate etiological identification challenging. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has become the preferred imaging modality because it provides comprehensive evaluation of abdominal organs and accurately characterizes the underlying pathology. Understanding the spectrum of CT findings in patients presenting with acute abdomen is valuable for improving diagnostic pathways and guiding clinical decision-making.

Objective: To evaluate the spectrum of multidetector computed tomography findings and determine the etiological profile of non-traumatic acute abdomen in adult patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital.

Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Mahavir Institute of Medical Sciences, Telangana, from March 2024 to December 2025. A total of 187 adult patients with suspected non-traumatic acute abdomen underwent MDCT following clinical evaluation and conventional imaging. Demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, CT findings, etiological categories, and their association with patient characteristics were analyzed.

Results: Among 187 patients, the mean age was 45.09 ± 12.32 years, and males constituted 52.94% of the study population. Inflammatory disorders were the most common CT diagnosis (45.99%), followed by obstructive (28.88%), renal (8.02%), biliary (6.95%), perforation (5.35%), and vascular disorders (4.81%). Right lower quadrant pain represented the most frequent site of abdominal pain (21.93%). Significant associations were observed between patient age and CT-based etiological categories (ANOVA, p<0.001), as well as between pain location and underlying pathology (Chi-square, p<0.001).

Conclusion: MDCT effectively characterizes the diverse spectrum of diseases responsible for non-traumatic acute abdomen. Inflammatory and obstructive conditions accounted for nearly three-quarters of all diagnoses, while CT accurately demonstrated clinically significant associations between demographic characteristics, pain localization, and disease etiology, highlighting its importance in comprehensive emergency abdominal evaluation.