Will Plain Abdominal Radiographs become Obsolete?
Keywords:
Abdomen; X-rays, Obstruction, Perforation, Radiation, DoseAbstract
Plain abdominal radiographs are often used as the first line investigation in diagnosing abdominal
pathologies such as bowel obstruction and gastrointestinal perforation. However, their
interpretation can often be non-specific. Given the reduction in radiation doses in recent years,
This article reviews the role of plain abdominal radiographs and other imaging modalities in
bowel obstruction and gastrointestinal perforation.