Intraabdominal abscess: current concepts in radiologic evaluation.

Forty patients with suspected abdominal abscess had computed tomography (CT) and plain film examinations; 15 also had ultrasound study. CT was found to be the most consistently accurate examination, both for the detection of abscess and evaluation of its extent. Ultrasound was positive in a high percentage of cases in which it was used. Although plain films correctly suggested the presence of an abscess in over half the proven cases, confirmatory evidence from CT or ultrasound was often required to persuade clinicians of the presence of an abscess and to provide detailed information regarding its extent and configuration.