Diagnostic Potential of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Abdominal Pain

Introduction: About half of the adult patients suffering from chronic abdominal pain may have no organ-related cause. Our purpose was to evaluate the additional information of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing the underlying organic causes of such pain. Methods: We performed retrospective audit of 636 consecutive abdominal MRI in patients suffering from nonspecific abdominal pain (NSAP) during years 2014-2017. Medical history, clinical examination, endoscopy reports, and the results of MRI were compared in all patients. The hypothesis was that MRI increases markedly the diagnostic specificity of patients' symptoms. Results: The mean age of patients was 66 +/- 14 years and 60 percent were females. Duration of abdominal pain ranged from 1 month to 30 years (median 1.1 +/- 4.0 years). Concurrently with abdominal MRI (n = 636), also ultrasound (n = 106, 17%), colonoscopy (n = 222, 35%), and gastroscopy (n = 217, 34%) were performed. Abdominal MRI revealed additional information in 161/636 (25%) of NSAP patients. Spinal and pelvic bone abnormalities (n = 107) and malignant tumors (n= 31) were the most significant organ-specific findings changing the treatment algorithm. Conclusions: When computerized tomography is not available in outpatient clinics, abdominal MRI increases markedly diagnostic specificity and alters the treatment in 1 of 4 patients suffering from NSAP. Abdominal MRI is therefore suggested for patients suffering from severe symptoms of NSAP.