Flank Pain Flashcards
Genitourinary Causes
Nephrolithiasis, Pyelonephritis, Ruptured renal cyst, Renal infarct
Gastrointestinal Causes
Cholecystitis, Pancreatitis, Bowel Obstruction, Diverticulitis, Appendicitis
Vascular Causes
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Pulmonary Causes
Pneumonia, Pulmonary embolism
Musculocutaneous Causes
Vertebral compression fracture
Colicky flank pain that radiates to lower abdomen, dysuria, increased urinary frequency, CVA tenderness (renal ultrasound, urine analysis, blood tests - elevated creatinine)
Nephrolithiasis
Fever, CVA tenderness, dysuria, urinary frequency (ultrasound of renal and bladder, urine analysis and culture)
Pyelonephritis
Abdominal/flank pain, low back pain, hematuria, frequent UTIs, high blood pressure
Ruptured renal cyst (Adult polycystic kidney disease)
Severe RUQ pain, fever, nausea/vomiting (Murphy Sign +, RUQ ultrasound, increased alkaline phosphatase/bilirubin)
Cholecystitis
Sudden epigastric pain radiating to the back, nausea/vomiting, fever (ultrasound, CT, increased amylase/lipase)
Pancreatitis
LLQ abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, fever, tender mass, guarding, rigidity, rebound tenderness (CT with contrast, abdominal ultrasound)
Diverticulitis
Initial periumbilical pain that migrates to the RLQ, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fever (CT with IV contrast, ultrasound, Rovsing/obturator/psoas positive)
Appendicitis
Back pain, if ruptured will cause severe pain, pulsatile mass, and hypotension (Abdominal bruit, abdominal ultrasound, abdominal CT)
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Fever, purulent, yellow-green productive cough, dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, crackles/rales, wheezing (chest x-ray, sputum cultures)
Pneumonia
Dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, cough, hemoptysis, syncope, tachycardia (Chest CT, ECG)
Pulmonary Embolism
