2 - Acute Abdomen Flashcards
Pt presents w/ acute onset of constant pain followed by emesis onset ≤ 72 hrs. On exam pt has rigid abdomen, signs of shock (hypotension, tachycardia) and involuntary guarding.
Is this pt concerning for an acute abdomen?
Yes! Sx are all red flags
GB pain will radiate where?
Right shoulder/subscapula
Perforated duodenal ulcer pain will radiate where?
Shoulders
Ureteral obstruction pain in men will radiate where?
Testicles
Chest pain due to an MI will radiate where?
Epigastric, jaw, neck, UE
GYN or prostrate pain will radiate where?
Low back
What is the difference b/w visceral and parietal pain?
Visceral pain is DULL, aching, colicky & poorly localized.
Parietal pain is sharp, well localized
What hx question is important in pts that present with acute abd pain?
Prior abdominal surgery
What will a lactic acid test tell you?
Tissue ischemia/necrosis
A CT w/o contrast is imaging of choice for what?
Renal stones, obstruction
CT w/ IV contrast is imaging of choice for what?
Ischemic bowel, diverticulitis, peritonitis, AAA
CT w/ oral contrast is imaging of choice for what?
Really skinny adults, children, need for enhanced imaging
US is imaging of choice for what?
GB, free fluid, kidneys, ovaries, testicles
What is the general tx for pts w/ acute abdomens?
IV fluids, anti-emetics, analgesia (IV if surgery consult), anti-pyretic, NPO, +/- ABX
What conditions required URGENT surgical referral?
- Obstruction, perforation, peritonitis, ischemic bowel, dissection
- Rapid sx evolution (out of proportion pain, increased tenderness and rigidity)
What pt populations can presents atypically?
Elderly, diabetic, IMC
Clinical presentation of a GI perforation depends on what?
Organ affect and contents released
What are the causes of GI perf?
- Spontaneous (cholecystitis, appendicitis)
- Bowel obstruction
- Trauma
- Instrumentation
When will peritonitis occur?
After perforation
- Will cause high fever, +/- sepsis/death, can be localized or generalized
Perforation is more common in what age groups?
> 50 yrs & < 10 yrs
The following are concerning for what?
Ill appearing Motionless \+ Rebound tenderness Pain w/ light bumps Diminished bowel sounds Anorexia/low urine output Inability to pass stool or gas
peritonitis
How does a pt w/ a spontaneous bacterial peritonitis present?
- Ascites, liver cirrhosis, fever, AMS, abd pain
What is used to dx spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?
Paracentesis
NO exploratory laparotomy (increases mortality)
What is the med tx for spontaneous and secondary bacterial peritonitis?
ABX: Cefotaxime
Albumin (if renal failure develops)
D/C BB
How does pt w/ secondary bacterial peritonitis present?
Possible perf (PUD, appendicitis) w/ ascites, fever, AMS, abd pain
What is used to dx secondary bacterial peritonitis?
Paracentesis
Exploratory laparotomy REQUIRED
Pt presents w/ severe constant RUQ pain > 6 hrs, N/V and increased pain after fatty food intake. ON exam pt w/ guarding, RUQ TTP, + Murphy’s sign, tachycardia and no jaundice. What is your suspected dx?
Acute cholecystitis
Labs show:
- Leukocytosis w/ bands
- Elevated CRP
- Normal Alk phos
- Normal bili
You decided to order a RUQ US to confirm your suspected. What is your suspected dx?
Acute cholecystitis
What does RUQ US show for pt w/ acute cholecystitis?
GB wall thickening
Sonographic Murphy’s sign
Gallstones or sludge
Pericholecystic fluid
What is the management for acute cholecystitis?
NPO & IV fluids
Analgesia
ABX: Ceftriaxone, cefuroxime
Surgery consult
It pt elects for non-operative management of acute cholecystitis but does not improve within 1-2 days what is the next step?
Surgery
In unstable pts that present w/ cholecystitis, what procedure can be done to relieve pain until they are more stable for surgery?
Percutaneous drainage (performed under radiologic guidance)
What is acute choledocholithiasis?
Gallstones WITHIN the common bile duct
(most common cause is secondary to passage of stones from GB to common bile duct vs. less commonly the formation of stones w/in the common bile duct)
Pt presents w/ colicky RUQ pain w/ radiation to epigastric and N/V. On exam you note RUQ/epigastric TTP and Courvoisier’s sign (palpable GB). Labs show elevated bili, alk phos, transaminases and GTT. What do you suspect?
Acute choledocholithiasis
What is first line imaging for acute choledocholithiasis?
Transabdominal US (for presence of stones in the GB/CBD
What is the tx for HIGH risk pts w/ acute choledocholithiasis?
GI, Surgery consult => ERCP for removal of stones
Then Elective cholecystectomy
What is the tx for LOW risk pts w/ acute choledocholithiasis?
GI, Surgery consult => cholecystectomy
What are complications of choledocholithiasis?
Pancreatitis and acute cholangitis
What is an obstruction of the biliary ducts that leads to an ascending bacterial infections?
Cholangitis
What is the most common cause of acute cholangitis?
Choledocholithiasis
Acute cholangitis will often present w/ Charcot’s triad. What sx does this include?
Fever/chills
RUQ pain
Jaundice
If pt with acute cholangitis presents with Charcot’s triad + AMS and hypotension what is this called?
Reynold’s pentad
Charcot’s Triad:
- Fever/chills
- RUQ pain
- Jaundice
Labs for a pt w/ acute cholangitis will show
- Elevated Alk phos, GGT, bilirubin, AST/ALT
- Leukocytosis
What other lab value is elevated?
Pancreatic enzymes
What imaging is performed on a pregnant pt w/ suspected cholangitis?
US is done first, then if ERCP needed, fetal shielding is used
Will a CT have high sensitivity for evaluating bile duct stones in a pt w/ suspected cholangitis?
No. Will show bile duct dilation and biliary stenosis, but low sensitivity for bile duct stone
Imaging for acute cholangitis is dependent on what?
Severity of illness
- Transabdominal US
- EUS
- ERCP (dx and therapeutic) /MRCP
- CT
What is the tx for pt w/ acute cholangitis?
Admit NPO surgery/GI consult ABX biliary drainage (ERCP) w/in 24 hrs
What empiric ABX therapy is given to pts w/ acute cholangitis?
Ceftriaxone + metronidazole
How is mild pancreatitis defined?
No organ failure or systemic complications
How is moderate pancreatitis defined?
Transient organ failure (resolved w/in 48 hrs)
How is severe pancreatitis defined?
Persistent organ failure 1+ organ
How will a pt w/ gallstone pancreatitis present?
Well localized pain w/ rapid onset
Pt presents with N/V and acute epigastric/RUQ pain that radiates to the back. Pain is relieved by leaning forward. What is your suspected dx?
Pancreatitis
On exam for pt w/ pancreatitis what sign’s can be present?
Cullen’s sign (umbilical bruising)
Grey-turner sign (flank bruising)
Labs for pt w/ pancreatitis will show what?
Elevated lipase (w/in 4-8 hrs) and amylase (w/in 6-12 hrs) 3x normal Increased CRP
What imaging for pancreatitis is not as sensitive in early disease but will show diffuse enlargement, necrosis, and stones?
CT w/ IV contrast
What imaging for pancreatitis is sensitive in early disease?
MRI
What will US for pancreatitis show?
Diffusely enlarged pancreas, +/- gallstones
What is the dx criteria for pancreatitis?
Must meet 2 of the following:
- Acute onset of constant, severe epigastric pain radiation to the back
- Elevation in serum lipase or amylase ≥ 3x normal
- Characteristic findings of acute pancreatitis on imaging
*IF 1 & 2 are met, NOT imaging is needed for dx, imaging helpful to r/o necrosis, etc.
What is the tx for pt w/ pancreatitis?
Admit (ICU common) NPO NG tube Foley catheter Serial labs (amylase and lytes)
What is the tx for gallstone pancreatitis?
GI consult => ERCP
What disease is due to a defect in gastric or duodenal mucosa and frequently associated w/ GERD?
PUD
What are the 2 biggest RF for PUD?
NSAID use
H. Pylori infection
PUD may presents atypically in what population?
Elderly
Pt presents w/ epigastric pain w/ radiation to thoracic region, heartburn, early satiety, SOB/cough when lying flat and hematemesis/melena. What is the suspected dx?
PUD
If pt w/ PUD presents with hematochezia what should you be concerned for?
Perforation
What labs do you want to check for PUD?
CBC - Hgb/HCT
BMP - lytes (excessive vomiting)
Hemoccult