Abdomen sans préparation : une alternative parfois rentable: Abdominal X ray: sometimes a profitable alternative

Abstract

The use of abdominal X-ray is controversial in acute abdominal pain investigation. CT-scans are often preferred, yet accessibility to medical imaging can be difficult. Indeed, not all medical centres have a CT-scan Unit or a 24-hour access to this peculiar medical imaging thus increasing time to get a CT-scan. We report the case of a 64-year-old man, with atypical abdominal pain, for whom plain abdominal radiography showed pneumoperitoneum secondary to bowel obstruction. The abdominal X-ray enabled the medical care to be continued with the patient’s consent.