Table 1.

Abdominal emergency versus imaging modality of choice according to existing literature.

Entity vs. Imaging modality of choice	Plain abdominal X-ray	Ultrasound	Upper GI series (fluoroscopy)	Contrast enema (fluoroscopy)	Computed tomography	Magnetic resonance imaging
Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis	Not commonly indicated but sometimes useful	Preferred modality	Not commonly indicated but sometimes useful	Not recommended	Not recommended	Not recommended
Duodenal atresia	Preferred modality	Useful in most cases*	Not commonly indicated but sometimes useful	Not commonly indicated but sometimes useful	Not recommended	Not recommended
Midgut volvulus	Useful in most cases	Useful in most cases	Preferred modality	Not commonly indicated but sometimes useful	Not commonly indicated but sometimes useful	Not commonly indicated but sometimes useful
Jejuno-ileal atresia	Preferred modality	Useful in most cases*	Useful in most cases	Useful in most cases	Not recommended	Not recommended
Necrotizing enterocolitis	Preferred modality	Useful in most cases	Not recommended	Not recommended	Not recommended	Not recommended
Inguinal hernia	Not commonly indicated but sometimes useful	Preferred modality	Not recommended	Not recommended	Not commonly indicated but sometimes useful	Not commonly indicated but sometimes useful
Intussusception	Not commonly indicated but sometimes useful	Preferred modality	Not recommended	Useful in most cases+	Not recommended	Not recommended
Hirschsprung disease	Preferred modality	Not commonly indicated but sometimes useful*	Not recommended	Useful in most cases	Not recommended	Not commonly indicated but sometimes useful*
Colonic atresia	Useful in most cases	Not commonly indicated but sometimes useful	Not recommended	Preferred modality	Not recommended	Not recommended

^*Can be performed antenatally and aid in diagnosis

⁺Can be diagnostic and therapeutic.