GI Misc. 10 - The Acute Abdomen Flashcards
What causes RUQ acute abdo problems? (6)
Biliary coliccholecystitischolangitisPneumoniaMusculoskeletalliver abscess/ hepatitis
What is the acute abdomen?
a condition of severe abdominal pain, usually requiring emergency surgery, caused by acute disease of or injury to the internal organs.
What will most patients with RUQ pain have?
Gallstones
what symptoms/ signs can gallstones cause?
RUQ/ epigastric painTemperatureJaundice(depends on what type of problem the gallstones are causing)
Intermittent RUQ pain (which may radiate to the shoulder blade) with no temperature or jaundice?
Biliary colic
Constant RUQ pain (which may radiate to the shoulder blade) with a temperature but no jaundice?
Cholecystitis
Constant RUQ pain (usually), jaundice but no temperature?
Choledocholithiasis (presence of at least one gallstone in the common bile duct)
Constant RUQ pain with a temperature and jaundice?
Cholangitis
Constant epigastric pain which can radiate to the back and may or may not cause a temperature or jaundice?
Pancreatitis
What causes epigastric acute abdo problems? (5)
pancreatitisPerf DUAAAGastritis/ refluxOesophagitis
What in the history is usually found in a patient with pancreatitis?
Alcohol or gallstones sometimes
How is pancreatitis diagnosed?
Amylase more than 300
What tests are done on a patient with probable pancreatitis/
Amylase (more than 300 for diagnosis)ScoringUSS (to look for gallstones)CT (if you’re unsure if a patient has pancreatitis)
What in the history can indicate a perforated DU?
Alcohol intakeNSAID use
Why do you need to take an erect x-ray for a patient with a suspected DU?
To look for air under the diaphragm