Ultrasonography in the evaluation of nontraumatic abdominopelvic emergencies.

Ultrasonography can provide prompt diagnostic information in many non-traumatic abdominal and pelvic emergencies. The safety of of diagnostic ultrasonography enables its use in many emergency situations that relate to pregnancy. The ability to demonstrate normal fluid-filled organs with clarity makes ultrasonography valuable in the emergency assessment of the gallbladder and aorta. Similary, ultrasound is sensitive to the detection of pathologic collections of fluid that can be applied in the search for abscesses or hematomas. Finally, ultrasonography is independent of organ function. In this regard, it is a useful ancillary test when radiographic examinations of the biliary or urinary tracts fail because of poor contract excretion.