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REVIEW: The acute abdomen in the immune compromised host

Abstract

Recent advances in transplantation, oncology and AIDS therapy have greatly increased life expectancies of patients diagnosed with malignancy, auto-immune disorders and organ failure. However, as this immune compromised population grows, complications of such therapies have become a major source of morbidity and mortality. Classical clinical and laboratory evidence of intra-abdominal pathology may be absent in the immune compromised host. Consequently, the radiologist is increasingly called upon to diagnose acute intra-abdominal complications associated with immunodeficiency. This review explores the aetiology of the acute abdomen in the immune compromised host. The typical radiological appearances of the commonest conditions are illustrated. The challenges and limitations in the radiological diagnosis of these conditions are discussed.

Author

Simon P. Spencer and Niall Power

Contact Details

Corresponding address:
Dr Simon P. Spencer, St Bartholomew's and The Royal London Hospitals, London, E1 1BB, UK

Reference

ICIS Cancer Imaging Volume 8 Issue 1
DOI: 10.1102/1470-7330.2008.0013

Date Posted

22 April 2008

Open Access is provided for this article.

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