Acute abdomen Flashcards
Appendicitis presentation
Young (5-40yo), acute
= general abdo pain, if staying still; peritonitis
= starts as umbilical pain then moves to RIF
Signs of appendicitis
Rovsing’s
= pain greater in RIF than LIF when LIF is pressed
Cope’s
= pain on passive flexion and internal rotation of the hip
Psoas
= pain on extending hip; ONLY for retrocaecal appendix
Rebound tenderness
= if infection involves peritoneum
Ix and mx for appendicitis
Ix = Alvardo score = Bloods; increased WCC and CRP = USS = CT; most sensitive but takes time
Mx
= appendicetomy
= Abx; cefotaxime, metronidazole
Complications of appendicitis
Perforation
- more common when faecolith involved (children)
Appendix mass
- inflamed appendix covered in omentum and forms mass
Appendix abscess
What leads to diverticular disease?
Low fibre diet leads to loss of stool bulk thus an increased pressure required to expel stools
This leads to herniations through muscularis weak points, forming outpouchings in colonic mucosa and submucosa throughout large bowel
Common in >40yo
Sx and signs O/E of diverticular disease
Can lead to diverticulitis
Sx: bloody stools, fever, LIF pain, urinary sx when fistulation w/ bladder
O/E: general pain, staying still if peritonitis, LIF pain
Ix for ?diverticular disease/diverticulitis
Bloods Flexible sigmoidoscopy +/-colonoscopy Acute - CT + erect CXR Chronic - barium enema (do not do on acute presentation, risk of perforation!!)
Mx of diverticular disease
Acute/symptomatic
- IV hydration, bed rest
Chronic/asymptomatic
- soluble high-fibre diet, anti-inflammatories (mesalazine)
Surgery if recurrent/complications
- Hartmann’s, primary anastomosis
Complications of diverticular disease
Diverticulitis Perforation Faecal peritonitis Peri-colic abscess Fistulas Colonic obstructions
RFs for hernias
Chronic cough, constipation, increased age, obesity, heavy lifting, often at weak intestine point in abdo wall
Femoral = more common in women Inguinal = more common in men
Hernia presentations
Lump in groin
Scrotal swelling
Groin pain
Vomiting
Inguinal hernias presentations
Superior and medial to pubic tubercle
Often contain bowel
Swells/appears on coughing/may reduce on supination
May be reducible on pressure
Most common type of hernia
Less commonly strangulated
Can be treaed w/o surgery
Younger pts
Femoral hernia presentations
Lateral and inferior to pubic tubercle
Often contain omentum
Swells/appears on coughing/may reduce on supination
May be reducible on pressure
Females > males
Older pts
Surgery recommended
More commonly strangulated
Strangulated hernia sx
Tender, red, colicky abdo pain, distention, vomiting
Ix and mx for hernias
USS; 1st line Clinical diagnosis --- Elective surgery Reassurance if left though note strangulation is a potential complication
How to differentiate between direct and indirect hernias?
1) Reduce hernia
2) Place finger over deep inguinal ring (just above midpoint of inguinal ligament)
3) Ask pt to cough and if hernia reappears, cannot be indirect hernia (must be direct)
Direct
= goes through weak abdo wall
= medial to inf. epig. vessels
= does NOT descend into scrotum
Indirect
= goes down inguinal canal (test above occludes canal)
= lateral to inf. epig. vessels
= does descend into scrotum