The purpose of this study is to determine whether non-contrast abdominal computed tomography (CT) impacts management (diagnosis, need for surgery and treatment) in elderly patients admitted to the emergency department with abdominal pain.
A systematic unenhanced abdominal CT is performed in elderly patients admitted to the emergency patients with acute abdominal symptoms. Accuracy of unenhanced CT is assessed by comparing diagnosis and therapeutic management recorded before and after unenhanced CT versus gold standard diagnosis and management. Gold standard diagnosis and management are established at 3 month follow up, based on patient's medical records and a systematic telephone interview.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
423
Systematic Unenhanced abdominal Computed tomography
Medical Imaging department
Montpellier, France
Diagnostic accuracy
Emergency Department (ED) diagnosis made prospectively by the attending ED physician both before and after unenhanced abdominal CT is compared to the reference diagnosis established at 3 month follow-up. Both ED diagnosis and reference diagnosis are recorded using a standardized diagnosis list.
Time frame: 3 months
Therapeutic management accuracy
Therapeutic management made by the attending ED physician both before and after unenhanced abdominal CT is compared to reference management established at 3 month follow-up. Therapeutic management is assessed by patient orientation following ED admission, need for hospitalization and surgical or medical treatment.
Time frame: 3 months
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