Acute abdominal pain

Consider abdominal xray if readily available, but it should not delay CT or MRI. Xray useful really for three things: obstruction, detecting free air, foreign material. Does NOT have the sensitivity of cross sectional imaging has - CT, MR, US best choices

CT generally better for suspected perforation or abscess as ultrasound and MR limited for gas. But in pregnant patient, consider ultrasound or MRI first before CT. Consider ultrasound in high suspicion for appendicitis in kids<14.