Sandbox:Javaria
Shown below is an algorithm summarizing the diagnosis of abdominal mass according the the [...] guidelines.
Abdominal mass | |||||||||||||||||||||||
History and brief physical exam Past medical history | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Hemodynamic instability | Stable | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Abdominal mass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Groin mass Inguinal hernia, femoral hernia, reactive or malignant adenopathy, | Abdominal wall mass epigastric hernia,
umbilical hernia, incisional hernia, and intra-abdominal pathology. | Intra-abdominal/ retroperitoneal mass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hepatic mass | Splenic mass | Pancreatic mass | Retroperitoneal mass | Aortic aneurysm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Abbreviations: ACS: Acute coronary syndrome; AAA: Abdominal aortic aneurysm; RUQ: Right upper quadrant; RLQ: Right lower quadrant; LUQ: Left upper quadrant; LLQ: Left lower quadrant
Characterize the mass:
Associated symptoms
Detailed history:
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Examine the patient: ❑ Vital signs
❑ Skin
❑ Inspection
❑ Auscultation
❑ Palpation
❑ Psoas sign (suggestive of retrocecal appendix) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consider extraabdominal differential diagnosis: ❑ aaaa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
❑ Assess hemodynamic stability | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If the patient is unstable, Stabilize the patient: ❑ Establish two large-bore intravenous peripheral lines ❑ NPO until the patient is stable ❑ Supportive care (fluids and electrolyes as required) ❑ Place nasogastric tube if there is bleeding, obstruction, significant nausea or vomiting ❑ Place foley catheter to monitor volume status ❑ Cardiac monitoring ❑ Supplemental oxygen as needed ❑ Administer early antibiotics if indicated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If the patient is stable, Order laboratory tests: ❑ Pregnancy test (required in women of child-bearing age) ❑ CBC ❑ Hematocrit ❑ Urinalysis ❑ Serum electrolytes ❑ ESR ❑ ABG ❑ D dimer ❑ Serum lactate ❑ BUN ❑ Creatinine ❑ Amylase ❑ Lipase ❑ Triglyceride ❑ Total bilirubin ❑ Direct bilirubin ❑ Albumin ❑ AST ❑ ALT ❑ Alkaline phosphatase ❑ GGT ❑ Stool for ova and parasites ❑ C. difficile culture and toxin assay Order imaging studies: *Order the tests to rule in a suspected diagnosis or to assess a case of unclear etiology *In case of elderly patients, immunocompromised or those unable to provide a comprehensive history, order broader range of tests | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Signs of peritonitis or shock ❑ Fever ❑ Abdominal tenderness ❑ Abdominal gaurding ❑ Rebound tenderness (blumberg sign) ❑ Diffuse abdominal rigidity ❑ Confusion ❑ Weakness ❑ Low blood pressure ❑ Decreased urine output ❑ Tachycardia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||