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Diagnostic imaging and in particular cross-sectional modalities (US, CT, and MR) have a critical and complementary role in diagnosis and management of small bowel diseases. Radiologists should be aware of advantages and disadvantages of each imaging test in order to choose the best option, considering the specific small bowel disease and the patient’s characteristics (age, gender, clinical status). US is a powerful tool, especially in combination with oral (SICUS) and intravenous (CEUS) contrast agents. CT is the imaging modality of choice in the emergency setting (i.e., small bowel occlusion, ischemia, and, in some circumstances, bleeding). MR is the preferred imaging test in benign disorders, and in particular inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), because of multiparametric approach, evaluation of bowel motility, and lack of radiation exposure. A brief review of main findings in different pathological entities involving the small bowel is provided, in order to offer to radiologists the instruments for a correct diagnosis and for providing the clinicians with the necessary information for patient management.

A very large range of disorders, from benign, self-limited conditions, to processes requiring emergency surgery, can present with acute abdominal and pelvic pain. The radiologist plays a substantial role in the routine diagnosis and management of patients with these disorders. Similarly, the radiologist plays a major role in the routine evaluation of patients with abdominal and pelvic trauma, whether blunt or penetrating. Computed tomography (CT) remains the mainstay of the evaluation of such patients, although protocols have evolved along with technological advancements. Ultrasound (US) has a continued important role, particularly for evaluation of right upper quadrant pain, for evaluation of suspected gynecologic disorders, and for evaluation of pediatric and pregnant patients with an acute abdomen. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a growing role for initial evaluation as well as follow-up of selected patients with a variety of acute abdominal and pelvic conditions (usually non-traumatic). Although it is not possible to cover every aspect of imaging of acute non-traumatic and traumatic conditions of the abdomen and pelvis in a single chapter, an overview is presented, with key concepts and teaching points.

CT and MRI are the crucial tools in the imaging assessment of pancreatic diseases. They allow a comprehensive insight into the normal and pathological structural and to some degree even functional conditions of the pancreas and its surrounding. In consequence, most of the pancreatic diseases can be identified and classified by CT and MRI. The most common findings—the adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and acute and chronic inflammation of the pancreas—are usually easily identified and imaging contributes to the correct staging and detecting potential complications of the disease. Moreover, modern imaging enables the differentiation of nonneoplastic, developmental disorders, solid, cystic, focal, and diffuse parenchymal findings which may range from neoplasia-like over true neoplasia to inflammatory tumor-like changes and is of crucial importance to guide an appropriate therapy.

Gastrointestinal pathology is relatively common in children. The clinical history as well as an understanding of disease categories affecting children of different age groups are of critical importance when formulating a differential diagnosis. In this chapter, we discuss obstructive, inflammatory, and traumatic causes of gastrointestinal pathology in children.

Imaging is an essential component in the diagnostic workup of children presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms. Several imaging modalities are well-suited to evaluate the gastrointestinal tract and are widely available in many institutions. Due to the increasing use/value of medical imaging over the last several decades, limiting exposure to ionizing radiation is paramount especially in this radiosensitive patient population. Consequently, pediatric imaging should focus on obtaining a sensitive and specific, high-yield examination, a task which involves judicious selection of the appropriate modality as well as performing an age and disease specific/optimized imaging technique. This chapter will give an overview of common pediatric gastrointestinal diseases and their imaging findings which should be recognized by all radiologists.

Current concepts in CT colonography will be highlighted, including discussions on proper technique, data related to patient acceptance, safety, the prevalence of extracolonic findings and their significance, and the practitioners’ responsibility for maintaining high-quality outcomes.

Contrast-enhanced multiphasic MDCT is the most important liver imaging technique in many institutions. When evaluating solid focal liver lesions, disease characterization is based on assessment of contrast enhancement pattern. If a lesion shows peripheral and nodular enhancement, with the density of enhancing portions similar to the vasculature, a hemangioma can be confidently diagnosed. Arterial phase hypervascular lesions include FNH, adenoma, HCC, and metastases from NET, melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and (sometimes) breast cancer. In general, HCC is considered in a setting of cirrhosis or chronic liver disease. An MR examination of the liver routinely includes dynamic contrast-enhanced pulse sequences and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). DWI’s main clinical benefit is the detection of focal liver lesions, which may be missed on conventional and contrast-enhanced imaging sequences. Liver-specific MR contrast agents have been shown to increase the detection of liver metastases and improve the characterization of FNH and adenoma, as well as the characterization of equivocal lesions in cirrhosis.

This chapter highlights the role of imaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), as a “compass” along the therapeutic path in patients with malignant diseases of the uterus.

Benign diseases of the colon and rectum include a heterogeneous spectrum of various neoplastic as well as nonneoplastic conditions. Polypoid as well as stenotic lesions include benign adenomatous polyps, various non-adenomatous polypoid findings, and stenotic lesions, commonly seen in chronic diverticular disease. These lesions are detected best by CT colonography, a powerful noninvasive test to evaluate the intraluminal aspect of the entire colon, both for colorectal cancer screening and incomplete colonoscopy. The heterogeneous group of inflammatory colonic diseases includes acute diverticular disease, colonic involvement in chronic inflammatory bowel disease, and colonic infectious and noninfectious colitis. Because of the risk of perforation, these conditions are evaluated with standard cross-sectional imaging techniques. This contribution summarizes benign conditions of the colon and rectum that can be detected during CTC and routine cross-sectional imaging techniques.

Diagnostic imaging of the colon and the rectum has undergone a remarkable evolution over the last few decades. Routine cross-sectional imaging techniques, such as standard abdominal CT scans provide.

Urinary tract infections are a common urologic ailment which affects 150 million people worldwide every year. Even though the diagnosis can be made based upon the patient’s clinical symptoms and the laboratory results in most cases, diagnostic imaging can play a role in the assessment of patients who don’t respond to medical therapy. Ultrasound and multidetector CT are useful imaging modalities in the evaluation of patients with both acute and chronic urologic infection such as either pyelonephritis or renal abscess. MDCT also plays a vital role in the evaluation of patients with symptomatic stone disease. Struvite stones or infection stones develop in patients with recurrent urinary tract infections. Potential complications can arise from chronic infection stones, such as chronic obstructive pyelonephritis, pyonephrosis, xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, and end-stage renal replacement lipomatosis. In this section, we discuss urologic infections such as pyelonephritis, pyonephrosis, renal abscess, pyelonephritis, emphysematous pyelonephritis, and renal tuberculosis as well as complications of infected renal stones.