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Thoracic causes of acute abdominal pain

  • Gastrointestinal
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Abstract

The origin of abdominal pain may be extra-abdominal, caused by a thoracic illness. This article illustrates the various thoracic disorders that may present with acute abdominal pain. An erroneous focus on the abdomen alone can easily lead to misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment. In cases of unexplained acute abdominal pain, radiologists should be aware of also viewing beyond the borders of the abdomen. The key to most of these thoracic diagnoses is detection of pulmonary consolidation, pleural fluid or pericardial fluid.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Rijnland Hospital, Simon Smitweg 1, 2353 GA, Leiderdorp, The Netherlands

    Adriaan C. van Breda Vriesman & Robin H. M. Smithuis

  2. Department of Radiology, MCH Westeinde Hospital, Lijnbaan 32, 2501 CK, The Hague, The Netherlands

    Julien B. C. M. Puylaert

Authors
  1. Adriaan C. van Breda Vriesman
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  2. Robin H. M. Smithuis
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  3. Julien B. C. M. Puylaert
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Correspondence to Adriaan C. van Breda Vriesman.

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van Breda Vriesman, A.C., Smithuis, R.H.M. & Puylaert, J.B.C.M. Thoracic causes of acute abdominal pain. Eur Radiol 20, 1414–1423 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-009-1687-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-009-1687-9

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