Final diagnosis in patients undergoing randomisation. Values are numbers of patients (numbers who underwent surgery) Final diagnosis Early computed tomography (n=55) Standard practice (n=63) Diverticulitis 10 12 Appendicitis 7 (6) 4 (3) Biliary colic or cholecystitis 4 (1) 7 (4) Bowel obstruction 5 (1) 4 Acute pancreatitis 4 4 Malignancy 2 (1)  6 (1)* Perforated viscus 1  5 (3) Peptic ulcer disease 2 4 Gastroenteritis 1 2 Intra-abdominal collection 1 1 Gynaecological abnormality 1 1 Renal colic 1 1 Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm 0  1 (1) Irritable bowel disease 1 0 Intrathoracic disease 2 2 Other 3 1 Non-specific abdominal pain§ 10 8 (1) * Two patients died during admission. Three patients died. One patient died. § No cause for pain found.