CHAPTER 26 Survival Guide to Bone Findings in the Abdomen and Pelvis
Try to imagine a computed tomographic or magnetic resonance imaging examination of the abdomen and pelvis completely devoid of bone. It is impossible (but did you really try?). Because the axial skeleton is a key component of the region (literally the backbone of it), unexpected musculoskeletal findings are commonplace on imaging examinations performed to evaluate abdominal pain or suspected/known malignancy. The following table is intended to provide a quick reference to help discriminate between “don’t miss” and “don’t touch” lesions. Within each general category, the left column includes types of lesions that require treatment, further evaluation, or may otherwise alter patient management. The right column includes lesions that usually do not require additional diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
