Acute Abdomen Flashcards
What is the definition of acute abdomen pain?
New abdominal pain <10 days duration
What is the epidemiology of acute abdomen pain?
1% hospital admissions
Initial diagnosis correct in 45-65%
>1000 causes
What is important to remember about the innervation of the abdomen?
Pain is not well localised due to the hollow and solid visceral nerves being supplied by autonomic nerves rather than somatic.
What are the 9 regions of the abdomen?
In which region is the appendix?
Right iliac fossa
What is the typical location of the pain caused by appendicitis?
Dull generalised pain, becoming localised and sharp to the right iliac fossa. Pain becomes worse when pressing the left iliac fossa.
What is colicky pain?
The intensity of the pain fluctuates
What can colicky pain be a sign of?
Bowel obstruction
What is the difference between colicky pain caused by small bowel obstruction vs large bowel obstruction?
Small bowel: More frequent pain (every minute) in midabdomen
Large bowel: In lower abdomen, frequency of the contractions is reduced.
What is the pain pattern of gall colick or renal colick?
Constant, it’s not actually colicky pain
What are some causes of epigatric pain?
(Foregut structures causing pain)
Pancreatitis
Peptic ulcer
MI
Perforated oesophagus
Peptic ulcer
What are some causes of RUQ pain?
Appendicitis
Acute Cholecystitis
Duodenal ulcer
What are some causes of LUQ pain?
AAA
Gastric ulcer
Perforated colon
Ruptured spleen
What are some causes of umbilical pain?
AAA
Early appendicitis
Acute pancreatitis
Intestinal obstruction
Diverticulitis
What are some causes of RIF pain?
Appendicitis
Ruptured ectopic pregnancy
Ovarian torsion/testicular torsion
Perforated caecum
Salpingitis
Renal stones
