Gastrointestinal disorders in elderly patients.

Gastrointestinal disorders are common in elderly patients, and the clinical presentation, complications, and management may differ from those in younger patient. Most impairment occurs in the proximal and distal tract of the gastrointestinal system. Swallowing abnormalities with a wide span of symptoms and pelvic floor pathologies involving all the pelvic compartments are common. Acute abdomen, often from small bowel obstruction or mesenteric ischemia, can pose a diagnostic challenge, because a mild clinical presentation may hide serious visceral involvement. In this setting, the radiologist often is asked to suggest the appropriate management options and to guide the management.