The Acute Abdomen Flashcards
Match the sign to the diagnosis: Cullen's sign Grey Turner's sign Murphy's sign Rosvig's sign
Cullen’s sign pancreatitis
Grey Turner’s sign pancreatitis
Murphy’s sign gallbladder
Rosvig’s sign appendicitis
Pain exacerbated by coughing/moving is caused by what type of pain?
Parietal pain
Pain where you’re unable to stay still is caused by what type of pain?
Visceral pain
What causes tinkling bowel sounds?
Complete small bowel obstruction
Is referred pain always ipsilateral?
Yes
Does parietal or visceral pain cause guarding rebound tenderness?
Parietal pain
visceral non-tender
What is absolute constipation?
Not passing wind
What colour is fresh bile?
Golden yellow
What drug can be used to reverse warfarin? how long does it take? what can be done if you need it asap?
Vitamin K
PO takes few days
IV takes 6hr
ASAP: FFP or factor 7
Name 4 causes of LLQ pain
Ruptured ectopic Ovarian cyst/torsion Diverticulitis Renal stone Crohn's / UC Strangulated hernia
Name 4 causes of RLQ pain
Ruptured ectopic Ovarian cyst/torsion Diverticulitis Appendicitis Renal stones Crohn's Strangulated hernia
Name 4 causes of epigastric pain
Pancreatitis MI PUD Gastritis / reflux AAA Diaphragmatic hernia Acute cholecystitis Cholecystitis AAA
Name 4 causes of RUQ pain
Acute cholecystitis RLL pneumonia Duodenal ulcer Hepatitis Appendicitis Renal stone Pyelonephritis
Name 4 causes of LUQ pain
LLL pneumonia AAA Pyelonephritis Pancreatitis Renal stone Gastric ulcer
Name 4 causes of central abdominal pain
Intestinal obstruction Pancreatitis Early appendicitis AAA Diverticulitis Ischemic bowel
What basic investigations should you do for the acute abdomen?
Bloods: FBC, CRP, U+E, lactate, amylase, cardiac enzyme, G&S, crossmatch ECG Urinalysis bHCG erect CXR
What type of imaging is 1st line when investigating the acute abdomen?
CT
If suspect obstruction: AXR
US useful in RUQ pain / women with pelvic pain / kids
What basic Mx would you give for the acute abdomen whilst awaiting Ix results?
IV morphine IV paracetamol Antiemetic Oxygen if low IV fluid
In the management of the acute abdomen, most patients require resuscitation before surgery, except which?
Ischemic gut / faecal peritonitis
What is absolute constipation?
Not passed wind
A peritonitic patient is likely to stay still or move about?
Stay still
What would be see on urine dipstick in pyelonephritis?
Nitrites, protein, leukocytes
What is free air under the diaphragm a sign of?
Perforation
Abdominal XR has the radiation equivalent of how many CXR?
50
What type of imaging is used for the acute abdomen in pregnant women?
MRI
Sudden onset abdo pain + shock = what (until proven otherwise)
AAA
or bowel perforation, inferior MI, acute ischemic bowel
Is the normal location of the appendix intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal?
Retroperitoneal
Where is the pain located in appendicitis?
Perriumbilical central pain that shift to RIF
(periumbilical since pancreas is a midgut organ, shifts as irritates parietal peritoneum)
(ask patient to point to where the pain started and where it is now)
How can you assess for peritonism in appendicitis?
Ask kid to jump, ask adult to cough
If kids can jump, probably not appendicitis
What is the relevance of puritanism in appendicitis?
If peritonitic - need surgery
What is the name of the scoring system used in paediatrics for appendicitis?
ALVARADO
What is Rosvig’s sign?
Press LIF, PTx feels more pain in RIF
Where is McBurney’s point and what is its relevance?
1/3 distance from umbilicus - ASIS
Where tenderness maximal in appendicitis
Bad breath halitosis in a child with acute abdominal pain is a sign of what?
Appendicitis
What age has the highest incidence of appendicitis? When is the second peak?
10-20yr
2nd peak in 60s
Appendicitis can occur at any age, true or false
True
What effect does appendicitis have on:
- Temperature
- HR
- WCC
- CRP
- LFTs
- U+Es
- bHCG
- Low grade fever
- Mild >HR
- Mild >WCC
- > CRP
- Normal LFTs
- Normal U+Es
- Normal bHCG
What imaging is first line for suspected appendicitis in men, fertile women, pregnant women and non-fertile women and children?
Men - CT Pregnant women - MRI Fertile women - US then CT Children - US Non-fertile women - CT (US fertile women is to exclude ovarian causes, not to see appendicitis)
In males under 40yr, if appendicitis is very strongly suspected is CT still required before LAP?
Yes - NICE says CT before LAP
In males over 40yr, what is in the differential for appendicitis?
Perforated caecal tumour
Atypical diverticulitis
Ischemic bowel
What is a faecolith?
Stone of hard poo
Are antibiotics given for appendicitis?
Yes
What are the 5 Ps for causes of ileus?
Post intra-abdo surgery Low potassium Peritonitis Pelvic/spinal fracture Parturition childbirth
How is bowel obstruction classified?
Structural mechanical v paralytic ileus
What are the 3 types of mechanical AKA structural bowel obstruction?
External compression
Wall compression
Something in lumen
What is the commonest and 2nd commonest cause of small bowel obstruction?
1st adhesion
2nd hernia
What cause of bowel obstruction can’t be diagnosed in a virgin abdomen?
Adhesion