Acute non-traumatic maternal illnesses in pregnancy: imaging approaches.

The imaging methods used to obtain diagnostic information for pregnant patients presenting with acute non-traumatic maternal illnesses have been reviewed. Conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, uterus, adnexae, central nervous system and chest have been investigated via a variety of imaging methods, which include ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), intravenous pyelography (IVP), angiography and fluoroscopy. The method of choice, application, and safety to the mother and fetus are considered for investigation of each condition.