Abdominal X-ray
Abnormal soft tissues/bones
Fractures and osteoarthritis
It is not uncommon for patients with bone disease to present complaining of abdominal pain. Doctors often ascribe abdominal symptoms to gastrointestinal disorders without considering other causes.
Tenderness on palpation of the abdomen may be due to radiated bone pain.
If you suspect bone disease then request dedicated X-rays(s) of the bone or joint in question, rather than an abdominal X-ray.
Key points
- Abdominal pain or tenderness may be caused by bone or joint disease
Hover over image to show findings
Pelvic fracture and osteoarthritis
- This elderly patient presented with abdominal pain with no clear history of trauma
- Tenderness in the suprapubic regions was thought to be due to intra-abdominal pathology
- The pubic ramus fractures was the cause of symptoms
- Note the osteoarthritic appearances of the hips and lumbar spine