Classification of pain in the abdomen based on etiology
|
Disease
|
Clinical manifestations
|
Diagnosis
|
Comments
|
Symptoms
|
Signs
|
Abdominal Pain
|
Fever
|
Rigors and chills
|
Jaundice
|
Diarrhea
|
GI Bleed
|
Hypo-
tension
|
Guarding
|
Rebound Tenderness
|
Bowel sounds
|
Lab Findings
|
Imaging
|
Abdominal causes
|
Inflammatory causes
|
Pancreato-biliary disorders
|
Acute cholangitis
|
RUQ
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
|
Ultrasound shows biliary dilatation/stents/tumor
|
Biliary drainage (ERCP) + IV antibiotics
|
Acute cholecystitis
|
RUQ
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
Hypoactive
|
|
Ultrasound shows gallstone and evidence of inflammation
|
Murphy’s sign
|
Acute pancreatitis
|
Epigastric
|
+
|
−
|
±
|
−
|
−
|
±
|
-
|
-
|
N
|
|
- Ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation
- CT scan shows severity of pancreatitis
|
Pain radiation to back
|
Chronic pancreatitis
|
Epigastric
|
−
|
−
|
±
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
|
CT scan
- Calcification
- Pseudocyst
- Dilation of main pancreatic duct
|
Predisposes to pancreatic cancer
|
Pancreatic carcinoma
|
Epigastric
|
-
|
-
|
+
|
+
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
N
|
|
|
Skin manifestations may include:
|
Disease
|
Abdominal Pain
|
Fever
|
Rigors and chills
|
Jaundice
|
Diarrhea
|
GI Bleed
|
Hypo-
tension
|
Guarding
|
Rebound Tenderness
|
Bowel sounds
|
Lab Findings
|
Imaging
|
Comments
|
Primary biliary cirrhosis
|
RUQ/Epigastric
|
−
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
+ in late presentation
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
- Increased AMA level, abnormal LFTs
|
|
|
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
|
RUQ
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
|
ERCP and MRCP shows
- Multiple segmental strictures
- Mural irregularities
- Biliary dilatation and diverticula
- Distortion of biliary tree
|
The risk of cholangiocarcinoma in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis is 400 times higher than the risk in the general population.
|
Cholelithiasis
|
RUQ/Epigastric
|
±
|
−
|
±
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
N to hyperactive for dislodged stone
|
|
Ultrasound shows gallstone
|
Fatty food intolerance
|
Gastric causes
|
Peptic ulcer disease
|
Diffuse
|
±
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
|
+ in perforated
|
+
|
+
|
N
|
- Ascitic fluid
- LDH > serum LDH
- Glucose < 50mg/dl
- Total protein > 1g/dl
|
Air under diaphragm in upright CXR
|
Upper GI endoscopy for diagnosis
|
Gastritis
|
Epigastric
|
±
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
+ in chronic gastritis
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
H.pylori infection diagnostic tests
|
Endoscopy
|
H.pylori gastritis guideline recommendation
|
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
|
Epigastric
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
Esophageal manometry
|
Gastric emptying studies
|
Endoscopy for alarm signs
|
Gastric outlet obstruction
|
Epigastric
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
Hyperactive
|
|
|
Succussion splash
|
Gastroparesis
|
Epigastric
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
±
|
-
|
-
|
Hyperactive/hypoactive
|
- Hemoglobin
- Fasting plasma glucose
- Serum total protein, albumin, thyrotropin (TSH), and an antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer
- HbA1c
|
- Scintigraphic gastric emptying
|
- Succussion splash
- Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
- Full thickness gastric and small intestinal biopsy
|
Gastrointestinal perforation
|
Diffuse
|
+
|
±
|
±
|
−
|
+, depends on site
|
+
|
+
|
±
|
Hyperactive/hypoactive
|
|
Air under diaphragm in upright CXR
|
Hamman's sign
|
Dumping syndrome
|
Lower and then diffuse
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
Hyperactive
|
- Glucose challenge test
- Hydrogen breath test
|
- Upper GI series
- Gastric emptying study
|
Postgastrectomy
|
Intestinal causes
|
Acute appendicitis
|
Starts in epigastrium, migrates to RLQ
|
+
|
+in pyogenic appendicitis
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
+ in perforated appendicitis
|
+
|
+
|
Hypoactive
|
|
Ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation
|
Nausea & vomiting, decreased appetite
|
Acute diverticulitis
|
LLQ
|
+
|
±
|
−
|
±
|
Hematochezia
|
+ in perforated diverticulitis
|
+
|
+
|
Hypoactive
|
|
CT scan and ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation
|
History of constipation
|
Inflammatory bowel disease
|
Diffuse
|
±
|
−
|
±
|
±
|
Hematochezia
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
N/ Hyperactive
|
|
String sign on abdominal x-ray in Crohn's disease
|
Extra intestinal findings:
|
Irritable bowel syndrome
|
Diffuse
|
±
|
−
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
Tests done to exclude other diseases as it diagnosis of exclusion
|
Tests done to exclude other diseases as it diagnosis of exclusion
|
Symptomatic treatment
|
Whipple's disease
|
Diffuse
|
±
|
−
|
±
|
+
|
−
|
±
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
|
Endoscopy is used to confirm diagnosis.
Images used to find complications
|
Extra intestinal findings:
|
Toxic megacolon
|
Diffuse
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
±
|
−
|
Hypoactive
|
|
CT scan shows:
Ultrasound shows:
- Loss of haustra coli of the colon
- Hypoechoic and thickened bowel walls with irregular internal margins in the sigmoid and descending colon
- Prominent dilation of the transverse colon (>6 cm)
- Insignificant dilation of ileal bowel loops (diameter >18 mm) with increased intraluminal gas and fluid
|
|
Tropical sprue
|
Diffuse
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
|
Barium studies show dilation and edema of mucosal folds
|
Steatorrhea- 10-40 g/day (Normal=5 g/day)
|
Celiac disease
|
Diffuse
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
Hyperactive
|
|
USG
- Bull’s eye or target pattern
- Pseudokidney sign
|
Gluten allergy
|
Infective colitis
|
Diffuse
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
+
|
Hematochezia
|
+ in fulminant colitis
|
±
|
±
|
Hyperactive
|
|
CT scan
- Bowel wall thickening
- Edema
|
|
Colon carcinoma
|
Diffuse/localized
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
±
|
+
|
±
|
-
|
-
|
- Normal
- Hyperactive if obstruction present
|
- CBC
- Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
|
- Colonoscopy
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Barium enema
- CT colonography
|
PILLCAM 2: A colon capsule for CRC screening may be used in patients with an incomplete colonoscopy who lacks obstruction
|
Hepatic causes
|
Viral hepatitis
|
RUQ
|
+
|
−
|
+
|
+ in Hep A and E
|
−
|
+ in fulminant hepatitis
|
+in acute
|
+
|
N
|
- Abnormal LFTs
- Viral serology
|
USG
|
Hep A and E have fecoral route of transmission and Hep B and C transmits via blood transfusion and sexual contact.
|
Liver masses
|
RUQ
|
+
|
+ in Liver abscess
|
±
|
−
|
+ in Hepatocellular carcinoma
|
+ in sepsis
|
+ in Liver abscess
|
+ in Liver abscess
|
N
|
|
USG
|
|
Liver abscess
|
RUQ
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
±
|
-
|
+
|
+
|
±
|
Normal/hypoactive
|
|
|
|
Hepatocellular carcinoma/Metastasis
|
RUQ
|
+
|
-
|
+
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
- Normal
- Hyperactive if obstruction present
|
|
|
Other symptoms:
|
Budd-Chiari syndrome
|
RUQ
|
±
|
−
|
±
|
−
|
+ in liver failure leading to varices
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
|
Findings on CT scan suggestive of Budd-Chiari syndrome include:
|
|
Ascitic fluid examination shows:
|
Hemochromatosis
|
RUQ
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
+ in cirrhotic patients
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
- >60% TS
- >240 μg/L SF
- Raised LFT
Hyperglycemia
|
Ultrasound shows evidence of cirrhosis
|
Extra intestinal findings:
- Hyperpigmentation
- Diabetes mellitus
- Arthralgia
- Impotence in males
- Cardiomyopathy
- Atherosclerosis
- Hypopituitarism
- Hypothyroidism
- Extrahepatic cancer
- Prone to specific infections
|
Cirrhosis
|
RUQ
|
−
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
varices
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
|
USG
|
- Stigmata of liver disease
- Cruveilhier- Baumgarten murmur
|
Peritoneal causes
|
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
|
Diffuse
|
+
|
+
|
+ in cirrhotic patients
|
+
|
−
|
±
|
+
|
+
|
Hypoactive
|
- Ascitic fluid PMN>250 cells/mm³
- Culture: Positive for single organism
|
Ultrasound for evaluation of liver cirrhosis
|
|
Renal causes
|
Pyelonephritis
|
Lumbar region
|
+
|
±
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
+
|
±
|
±
|
Hypoactive
|
- Urinalysis
- Urine culture
- Blood culture
|
|
|
Renal colic
|
Flank pain
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
Hematuria
|
CT scan and ultrasound
|
|
Hollow Viscous Obstruction
|
Small intestine obstruction
|
Diffuse
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
+
|
+
|
±
|
Hyperactive then absent
|
Leukocytosis with left shift indicates complications
|
Abdominal X ray
- dilated loops of bowel with air fluid levels
- gasless abdonen
|
- "Target sign"– , indicative of intussusception
- Venous cut-off sign" – suggests thrombosis
|
Volvulus
|
Diffuse
|
+in perforated cases
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
+in perforated cases
|
+
|
+
|
Hyperactive then absent
|
Leukocytosis
|
CT scan and abdominal X ray
|
"Whirl sign"
|
Biliary colic
|
RUQ
|
−
|
−
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
Increased bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase
|
Ultrasound
|
Nausea & vomiting
|
Vascular Disorders
|
Ischemic causes
|
Mesenteric ischemia
|
Periumbilical
|
+ if bowel becomes gangrenous
|
−
|
−
|
+
|
Hematochezia
|
+ if bowel becomes gangrenous
|
+ if bowel becomes gangrenous
|
−
|
Hyperactive to absent
|
|
CT angiography
|
Also known as abdominal angina, worsens with eating
|
Acute ischemic colitis
|
Diffuse
|
+
|
±
|
−
|
+
|
Massive
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
Hyperactive then absent
|
Leukocytosis
|
Abdominal x-ray
- Distension and pneumatosis
CT scan
- Double halo appearance, thumbprinting
- Thickening of bowel
|
Can lead to shock
|
Hemorrhagic causes
|
Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
|
Diffuse
|
±
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
Herald to massive
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
|
Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST)
|
Unstable hemodynamics
|
Intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal hemorrhage
|
Diffuse
|
±
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
Massive
|
+
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
Anemia
|
CT scan
|
History of trauma
|
Gynaecological Causes
|
Tubal causes
|
Torsion of the cyst
|
RLQ / LLQ
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
±
|
±
|
N
|
Increased ESR and CRP
|
Ultrasound
|
Sudden onset & severe pain with nausea and vomiting
|
Acute salpingitis
|
RLQ / LLQ
|
+
|
±
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
±
|
±
|
N
|
Leukocytosis
|
Pelvic ultrasound
|
Vaginal discharge
|
Cyst rupture
|
RLQ / LLQ
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
+
|
±
|
±
|
N
|
Increased ESR and CRP
|
Ultrasound
|
Sudden onset sever pain with nausea and vomiting
|
Pregnancy
|
Ruptured ectopic pregnancy
|
RLQ / LLQ
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
N
|
Positive pregnancy test
|
Ultrasound
|
History of missed period and vaginal bleeding
|
Extra-abdominal causes
|
Pulmonary disorders
|
Pleural empyema
|
RUQ/Epigastric
|
+
|
±
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
Thoracentesis
|
Chest X-ray
USG
|
Physical examination
|
Pulmonary embolism
|
RUQ/LUQ
|
±
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
±
|
-
|
-
|
N
|
|
|
|
Pneumonia
|
RUQ/LUQ
|
+
|
+
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
+
|
-
|
-
|
N/Hypoactive
|
- ABGs
- Eosinophilia
- Pancytopenia
|
- CXR
- CT chest
- Bronchoscopy
|
|
Cardiovascular disorders
|
Myocardial Infarction
|
Epigastric
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
−
|
+ in cardiogenic shock
|
−
|
−
|
N
|
|
Echocardiogram
- Wall motion abnormality
- Wall rupture
- Septal rupture
|
Complications:
|