Classification of acute abdomen based
on etiology
|
Presentation
|
Clinical findings
|
Diagnosis
|
Comments
|
Fever
|
Rigors and Chills
|
Abdominal Pain
|
Jaundice
|
Hypotension
|
Guarding
|
Rebound Tenderness
|
Bowel sounds
|
Lab Findings
|
Imaging
|
Common causes of
Peritonitis
|
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
|
+
|
|
Diffuse
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
Hypoactive
|
- Ascitic fluid PMN>250 cells/mm³
- Culture: Positive for single organism
|
Ultrasound for evaluation of liver cirrhosis
|
-
|
Perforated gastric and duodenal ulcer
|
+
|
|
Diffuse
|
−
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
N
|
- Ascitic fluid
- LDH > serum LDH
- Glucose < 50mg/dl
- Total protein > 1g/dl
|
Air under diaphragm in upright CXR
|
Upper GI endoscopy for diagnosis
|
Acute suppurative cholangitis
|
+
|
+
|
RUQ
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
±
|
|
|
|
Acute cholangitis
|
+
|
−
|
RUQ
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
Abnormal LFT
|
Ultrasound shows biliary dilatation
|
Biliary drainage (ERCP) + IV antibiotics
|
Acute cholecystitis
|
+
|
|
RUQ
|
+
|
|
−
|
−
|
Hypoactive
|
|
Ultrasound shows gallstone and evidence of inflammation
|
Murphy’s sign
|
Acute pancreatitis
|
+
|
|
Epigastric
|
±
|
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
Increased amylase / lipase
|
Ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation
|
Pain radiation to back
|
Acute appendicitis
|
+
|
|
RLQ
|
−
|
|
+
|
+
|
Hypoactive
|
Leukocytosis
|
Ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation
|
Nausea & vomiting, decreased appetite
|
Acute diverticulitis
|
+
|
|
LLQ
|
±
|
|
+
|
−
|
Hypoactive
|
Leukocytosis
|
CT scan and ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation
|
|
Hollow Viscous Obstruction
|
Small intestine obstruction
|
−
|
|
Diffuse
|
−
|
|
+
|
±
|
Hyperactive then absent
|
Leukocytosis
|
Abdominal X ray
|
Nausea & vomiting associated with constipation, abdominal distention
|
Gall stone disease/Cholelithiasis
|
±
|
−
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Volvulus
|
-
|
|
Diffuse
|
-
|
|
+
|
-
|
Hypoactive
|
Leukocytosis
|
CT scan and abdominal X ray
|
Nausea & vomiting associated with constipation, abdominal distention
|
Biliary colic
|
-
|
|
RUQ
|
+
|
|
-
|
-
|
N
|
Increased bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase
|
Ultrasound
|
Nausea & vomiting
|
Renal colic
|
-
|
|
Flank pain
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
N
|
Hematuria
|
CT scan and ultrasound
|
Colicky abdominal pain associated with nausea & vomiting
|
Vascular Disorders
|
Ischemic causes
|
Mesenteric ischemia
|
±
|
|
Periumbilical
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
Hyperactive
|
Leukocytosis and lactic acidosis
|
CT scan
|
Nausea & vomiting, normal physical examination
|
Acute ischemic colitis
|
±
|
|
Diffuse
|
-
|
|
+
|
+
|
Hyperactive then absent
|
Leukocytosis
|
CT scan
|
Nausea & vomiting
|
Hemorrhagic causes
|
Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
|
-
|
|
Diffuse
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
N
|
Normal
|
CT scan
|
Unstable hemodynamics
|
Intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal hemorrhage
|
-
|
|
Diffuse
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
N
|
Anemia
|
CT scan
|
History of trauma
|
Gynaecological Causes
|
Fallopian tube
|
Acute salpingitis
|
+
|
|
LLQ/ RLQ
|
−
|
|
±
|
±
|
N
|
Leukocytosis
|
Pelvic ultrasound
|
Vaginal discharge
|
Ovarian cyst complications and endometrial disease
|
Torsion of the cyst
|
-
|
|
RLQ / LLQ
|
-
|
|
±
|
±
|
N
|
Increased ESR and CRP
|
Ultrasound
|
Sudden onset severe pain with nausea and vomiting
|
Endometriosis
|
-
|
|
RLQ/LLQ
|
-
|
|
+/-
|
+/-
|
N
|
Normal
|
Laproscopy
|
Menstrual-associated symptoms, pelvic
symptoms
|
Cyst rupture
|
-
|
|
RLQ / LLQ
|
-
|
|
+/-
|
+/-
|
N
|
Increased ESR and CRP
|
Ultrasound
|
Sudden onset severe pain with nausea and vomiting
|
Pregnancy
|
Ruptured ectopic pregnancy
|
-
|
|
RLQ / LLQ
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
N
|
Positive pregnancy test
|
Ultrasound
|
History of missed period and vaginal bleeding
|
Functional
|
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
|
-
|
|
Diffuse
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
N
|
Clinical diagnosis
|
-
|
|