The impact of body mass index on concordance in the interpretation of matched noncontrast and contrast abdominal pelvic computed tomographic scans in ED patients with nontraumatic abdominal pain.

Objective: To determine if body mass index (BMI) is associated with interpretation agreement between matched abdominal pelvic computed tomographic (CT) scan performed with and without oral contrast in emergency department (ED) patients.

Methods: A prospective observational trial of a convenience sample of 100 adult patients undergoing an abdominal pelvic CT was done at a tertiary care academic ED from September 4, 2001, to August 30, 2002. Patients with trauma, renal colic, pregnancy, need of intravenous contrast, or who were clinically unstable were excluded.