Imaging of Acute Pelvic Pain

Acute pelvic pain in the nonpregnant woman is one of the most common conditions requiring emergent medical evaluation in routine clinical practice. Although clinical evaluation and laboratory testing are essential, imaging plays a central role. Although various adnexal and uterine disorders may result in acute pelvic pain of gynecologic origin, other nongynecologic disorders of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems may likewise result in acute pelvic pain. Ultrasound is first choice for initial evaluation of acute pelvic pain of gynecologic origin. Computed tomography is performed if pelvic sonography is inconclusive, or if a suspected disorder is nongynecologic in origin.