Use of non-invasive imaging in gastrointestinal critical care

Gastrointestinal emergencies are quite common and life-threatening. The role of non-invasive imaging is of paramount importance in clinching an early diagnosis. The biggest challenge is to decide on the best imaging modality which would give maximum yield in a given clinical scenario. Conventional radiography has been replaced by ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), sometimes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and occasionally nuclear scintigraphy in the evaluation of most critical care conditions. Abdomen quadrant based approach for deciding the imaging modality of choice has been very well-accepted. This article focuses on the various imaging options, their merits and demerits and followed by current concepts of imaging in various gastrointestinal (GI) emergencies, GI trauma and perioperative situations. Detailed radiological findings in individual conditions are outside the scope of this article. However, certain important imaging findings, which have to be looked for, have been outlined where necessary.