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Acute Abdomen. Melissa Cunha Transplant Fellow Manchester Royal Infirmary 28 th February 2011. Objectives. Definition Approach Commonest causes History Clinical Examination Investigations Management Cases. Definition.
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Acute Abdomen Melissa Cunha Transplant Fellow Manchester Royal Infirmary 28th February 2011
Objectives • Definition • Approach • Commonest causes • History • Clinical Examination • Investigations • Management • Cases
Definition • Someone who becomes acutely ill and signs are chiefly related to the abdomen has an acute abdomen
A systematic approach • History, Examination, Investigations, Treatment Plan • May require simultaneous resuscitation and treatment.
Final diagnosis in UK • Non-specific abdominal pain 30-40% • Appendicitis 20-25% • Cholecystitis / Biliary Colic 7-8% • Peptic ulcer disease 4% • Urinary retention 4% • Acute pancreatitis 3% • Small bowel Obstruction 3% • Renal Colic 3% • Trauma 3% • Malignant disease 2-4% • Medical diagnosis 2-4% • Acute diverticulitis 2% • Large bowel obstruction 2% • Vascular Disease 2% • Gynaecological disease 1%
History • Pain • SOCRATES • Site • Onset • Character • Radiation • Associated symptoms • Time course • Exacerbating/relieving factors • Severity
Specific questioning • GI symptoms • Similar episodes • Swellings in groin or abdomen • Gynaecological and Obstetric history • Vaginal discharge
History • Past medical history • Past surgical history • Drug history and allergies • Social history • Alcohol • Tobacco • Family history • Systemic inquiry
Clinical Examination • General state & demeanour of patient • Dehydration • Jaundice • Anaemia • Cyanosis • Oedema
Clinical Examination • ALWAYS: • BP, HR, RR, Temperature, SpO2 • Cardiovascular Examination • Respiratory Examination
Clinical examination • Abdominal examination: • Inspection • Palpation • Percussion • Auscultation
Clinical Examination • Always include: • Back • Groins • Hernias • Perineum and genitalia • Consider patient’s dignity
Clinical Examination • Abdominal examination findings: • Murphy’s sign • Rovsing’s sign • Iliopsoas’ sign • Obturator’s sign • Guarding • Rebound
Murphy’s sign • Elicitation: Palpate the right subcostal area while the patient inspires deeply • Positive response: The patient feels pain upon this manoeuvre and may have an associated inspiratory cessation
Rovsing’s sign • Elicitation: Palpate the left lower quadrant of the abdomen • Positive response: The patient feels pain in the right lower quadrant
Iliopsoas’ sign • Elicitation: patient on left lateral decubitus and examiner extends patients right leg at the hip • Positive response: The patient feels pain in the right lower quadrant
Obturator’s sign • Elicitation: flexion and external rotation of the hip • Positive response: The patient feels pain in the right lower quadrant
Bedside investigations • Vomit • Stools • Urine
Basic Blood Tests • Full Blood Count • Urea and Electrolytes • Liver Function Tests • Bone Profile • Amylase • Coagulation Screen • Pregnancy test
Other investigations • Urine test • Stools culture
Radiology • Chest X-Ray: • Pneumonia, Perforation, Subphrenic abcess • Abdominal X-Ray: • Ileus, Obstruction, Stones, Air above liver. • Contrast studies: • Gastrograffin, barium enema • USS • CT • MRI
Ultrasound • Gallstones, Liver abscess, Biliary tree, Pancreas • Urinary Tract: Hydronephrosis, Stones • Pelvis: Abscess, appendicitis, Gynaecological conditions, ectopic pregnancy • Ascites • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
CT Scan • Useful for retroperitoneal structures • Pancreatitis • Abdominal Aortic aneurysm
Management • Resuscitate • Conservative treatment • Medical management • Surgical treatment
Case 1 • Male, 35 years old • Central abdominal pain, colic in nature that then shifts to RIF and becomes constant • Anorexia • Constipation • Otherwise fit and well
Case 1 • What are the possible findings from Physical examination?
Physical examination • Tachycardia • Low grade fever • Lying still • Foetor • Tenderness and guarding RIF • Rebound tenderness • PR: painful on right
Case 1 • What are the differential diagnosis?
Differential Diagnosis • Appendictis • Mesenteric adenitis • Salpingitis/PID • UTI • Cholecystitis • Diverticulitis • Chrohn’s disease • Food poisoning/gastroenteritis
Case 1 • What tests would you request?
Investigations • U&E, FBC, CRP • Urine sample • Pregnancy test • CXR and AXR • USS • CT abdomen • Do not rely on tests for appendicitis
Case 1 • How would you manage this case?
Appendicitis • RIF pain, low grade fever • Guarding and tenderness RIF • Raised WCC and CRP • Management: • IV fluids • IV antibiotics • Surgery: • Laparoscopic • Open
Other causes RIF pain • Gynaecological and Obstetric causes: • Salpingitis • Pelvic inflammatory disease • Ectopic pregnancy • Medical causes • Crohn’s disease
Case 2 Female, 40 years old, obese Sudden onset of right upper quadrant pain associated with nausea and vomiting after eating pork pie. Feels hot and unwell. No changes in bowel habit. No urinary symptoms. PMH: nil
Case 2 What are the possible findings from Physical examination?