Ultrasound assessment of right upper quadrant abdominal pain : part 3

Abstract

Parts 1 and 2 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 said articles also showed that abdominal ultrasound 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. Abdominal US visualises multiple upper abdominal organ systems that could be the source of the patient’s pain. Parts 1 and 2 of this article described the US findings related to the biliary, hepatic, pancreatic and gastrointestinal causes of RUQ pain, while this final Part 3 will deal with renal, adrenal, thoracic and vascular causes.