Ultrasound assessment of right upper quadrant abdominal pain : part 2

Abstract

Part 1 of this article discussed the importance of having an efficient diagnostic algorithm for right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain, since it is one of the most common presenting complaints to any clinic or emergency department. While acute cholecystitis is the most frequent cause of RUQ pain, more than a third of cases are due to other conditions. The same article also showed that abdominal ultrasound (US) is the imaging modality of choice because it is easily accessible, rapid, cost-effective, and safe since it involves no ionising radiation or potentially nephrotoxic intravenous contrast agent.1 Abdominal US visualises multiple upper abdominal organ systems that could be the source of the patient’s pain. Part 1 of this article also described the US findings related to the biliary and hepatic causes of RUQ pain. The present Part 2 will discuss US findings seen with pancreatic and gastrointestinal causes, while a final forthcoming Part 3 will deal with adrenal, renal, thoracic and vascular causes of RUQ pain.