scholarly journals Acute Abdominal Pain in Children: Causes and Development Factors

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-59
Author(s):  
E. A. Romanova ◽  
L. S. Namazova-Baranova ◽  
E. Yu. Dyakonova ◽  
A. Yu. Romanov ◽  
K. S. Mezhidov ◽  
...  

Currently differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain syndrome in children at prehospital care units is vital and urgent problem which requires solution. Unfortunately, embarrassing mistakes are still followed by late or inadequate treatment and complications as a result. The problem solution requires both medical stuff alert and diagnosis algorithm revision and improvement. Improvement of technical equipment and availability of instrumental diagnostic methods at the out-hospital settings is a pressing need. The article provides a classification, detailed pathogenesis, and clinical presentation of acute abdominal pain in children under different nosologies (therapeutic and surgical). We considered the problem of adequate differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in children when the diagnostics is performed by primary care physicians and specialists of emergency medical services at the prehospital stage.

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 26-35
Author(s):  
T. N. Hristich ◽  
D. O. Hontsariuk

The aim of literature review is to highlight the essential problem of internal medicine – a differential diagnosis of abdominal pain syndrome in chronic pancreatitis. Features of the clinical picture of abdominal pain in the main diseases of internal medicine are presented. The effectiveness of laboratory and modern instrumental diagnostic methods and their significance in tactics and treatment strategies are discussed in detail.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. e235374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garima Yadav ◽  
Neha Agrawal ◽  
Sureka Binit ◽  
Pratibha Singh

Transverse vaginal septum is one of the variants of Mullerian duct anomaly, caused as a result of defective fusion or recanalisation of vaginal and Mullerian organs. At an early age, it commonly presents as primary amenorrhea along with cyclical abdominal pain while later on usually it presents as dyspareunia and infertility. Our 22-year-old patient presented with secondary amenorrhea. It is very unusual for a transverse vaginal septum to cause secondary amenorrhea. MRI and clinical examination raised the suspicion of transverse vaginal septum causing secondary amenorrhea. She attained regular menstrual cycle after septum excision. The proposed theory behind it is obliteration of microperforated transverse vaginal septum because of menstrual blood and cell debris. Thus, a rare possibility of transverse vaginal septum should also be considered as a differential diagnosis of secondary amenorrhea.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Martine A. Louis ◽  
Amanda R. Doubleday ◽  
Elizabeth Lin ◽  
Ji Yoon Baek ◽  
Alda Andoni ◽  
...  

General surgeons are often asked to evaluate acute abdominal pain which has an expanded differential diagnosis in women of childbearing age. Acute appendicitis accounts for many surgical emergencies as a common cause of nongynecologic pelvic pain. In some rare instances, acute appendicitis has been shown to occur simultaneously with a variety of gynecologic diseases. We report a case of concurrent acute appendicitis and ruptured ovarian endometrioma.


Author(s):  
Satish Keshav ◽  
Alexandra Kent

Acute abdominal pain is pain which is below the chest and above the pelvic brim and which has been present for ≤4 weeks. However, typically, patients present within hours of the onset of pain. The differential diagnosis does not differ much in primary and secondary care, although patients in hospital are probably more likely to be prone to iatrogenic illnesses such as pancreatitis, intestinal ischaemia, and Clostridium difficile-associated colitis. This chapter covers the approach to diagnosis, key diagnostic tests, therapies, prognosis, and dealing with uncertainty.


Author(s):  
Kamila Motta Stradiotti ◽  
Felipe Pires de Albuquerque ◽  
Maria Laura Silveira de Castro ◽  
Laiane Milani de Arruda

Introdução: Apendagite epiplóica (AE) é uma causa incomum de dor abdominal causada por alterações inflamatórias e isquêmicas relacionadas à torção ou trombose venosa dos apêndices epiplóicos. Estas estruturas consistem em projeções de tecido adiposo que emergem da superfície serosa do cólon e apêndice cecal, sendo maiores e mais numerosas no cólon descendente e sigmóide. A apendagite epiplóica do apêndice cecal (AEA) é uma forma ainda mais rara de apresentação, tendo poucos casos relatados em literatura. Os sinais e sintomas da AE comumente mimetizam outras causas de abdome agudo, que varia dependendo da sua localização, devendo ser considerada no diagnóstico diferencial de dor abdominal localizada. O diagnóstico correto é fundamental para evitar gastos e procedimentos desnecessários, pois se trata de uma condição benigna e autolimitada, com tratamento conservador sendo suficiente na grande maioria dos casos. Atualmente a tomografia computadorizada é o método de escolha na avaliação de pacientes com abdome agudo. Objetivo: Relatar um caso raro de dor abdominal aguda causada por apendagite epiplóica do apêndice cecal e a importância do seu diagnóstico correto. Relato do caso: Paciente com quadro de dor abdominal aguda no quadrante inferior direito, afebril e sem outras queixas gastrointestinais associadas. Ao exame físico referiu dor à palpação profunda no quadrante inferior direito. Exames laboratoriais sem alterações. Foram solicitados exames de imagem complementares, evidenciando apêndice cecal nos limites superiores da normalidade, inflamação periapendicular e uma imagem com densidade de gordura adjacente ao apêndice. Os diagnósticos diferenciais foram de apendicite inicial e apendagite epiplóica. Foi realizado tratamento operatório e exame anatomopatológico, que confirmou o diagnóstico de apendagite epiplóica do apêndice cecal. As informações foram obtidas por meio de revisão do prontuário, entrevista com o paciente, registro dos métodos diagnósticos, incluindo exames laboratoriais, exames de imagem como tomografia computadorizada e anatomopatológico, aos quais o paciente foi submetido e uma breve revisão da literatura. Conclusão: Relatamos um caso raro de apendagite epiplóica do apêndice cecal, demonstrando um desafio diagnóstico e a importância dos métodos de imagem. Palavras Chave: Dor abdominal, Abdome agudo, Apêndice cecal, Diagnóstico por imagemABSTRACT: Introduction: Epiploic appendagitis (LA) is an uncommon cause of abdominal pain caused by inflammatory and ischemic changes related to venous torsion or thrombosis of the epiploic appendages. These structures consist of projections of adipose tissue that emerge from the serous surface of the colon and cecal appendix, being larger and more numerous in the descending and sigmoid colon. Epiploic appendagitis of the appendix (EAA) is an even rarer form of presentation, with few cases reported in the literature. The signs and symptoms of EAA commonly mimic other causes of acute abdomen, which varies depending on their location, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of localized abdominal pain. Correct diagnosis is essential to avoid unnecessary expenses and procedures, as it is a benign and self-limited condition, with conservative treatment being sufficient in the vast majority of cases. Currently, computed tomography is the method of choice in the evaluation of patients with acute abdomen. Objectives: To describe a rare cause of abdominal pain due acute epiploic appendagitis of the appendix and reinforce the importance of the CT to diagnosis this condition and rule out other causes of acute abdominal pain. Case report: Patient with acute abdominal pain in the lower right quadrant, afebrile and without other associated gastrointestinal complaints. On physical examination, she reported pain on deep palpation in the lower right quadrant. Laboratory tests without changes. Complementary imaging exams were requested, showing the appendix at the upper limits of normal, periapendicular inflammation and an image with fat density adjacent to the appendix. The differential diagnoses were of initial appendicitis and epiplatic appendagitis. Operative treatment and anatomopathological examination were performed, which confirmed the diagnosis of appendagitis of the appendix. Information was obtained by reviewing medical records, interviewing the patient, recording diagnostic methods, including laboratory tests, imaging tests such as computed tomography, anatomopathology, and a brief review of the literature. Conclusion: We report a case of acute epiploic appendagitis of the appendix, demonstrating a diagnostic challenge and the importance of imaging methods.Keywords: Abdominal pain; Abdomen, acute; Appendix, Diagnostic imaging


2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 224-226
Author(s):  
Shiva Mongolu ◽  
◽  
Patrick Sharp

Although uncommon, lead poisoning should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of unexplained acute abdominal pain in both adults and children. We present the case of a 35-year-old Asian male who presented with abdominal pain and constipation secondary to lead poisoning. Initially, the source of lead exposure was not apparent; this was later found to be due to ingestion of an Ayurvedic herbal medicine for the treatment of infertility. Lead poisoning due to the ingestion of Ayurvedic remedies is well described. We discuss the diagnosis, pathophysiology and treatment of lead poisoning. This case illustrates one of the rarer medical causes of acute abdominal pain and emphasizes the need to take a thorough history (including specific questioning regarding the use of over-the-counter and traditional/ herbal remedies) in cases of suspected poisoning or drug toxicity.


Author(s):  
Mark Beattie ◽  
Mike Stanton

This chapter discusses the assessment, differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain. Appendicitis and intussusception are discussed in detail.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blake D. Babcock ◽  
Alexander E. Poor ◽  
Mohammad F. Shaikh ◽  
Wilbur B. Bowne

Acute abdominal pain and abdominal mass are intimately connected; therefore, the diagnostic process for evaluating abdominal pain and abdominal masses is largely the same and has been preserved since ancient times. The primary goals in the management of patients with abdominal pain and/or abdominal mass are to establish a differential diagnosis by obtaining a clinical history, to refine the differential diagnosis with a physical examination and appropriate studies, and to determine the role of operative intervention in the treatment or refinement of the working diagnosis. This review describes the process of diagnosing abdominal pain, including taking a clinical history and performing a physical examination. Investigative studies, including laboratory tests, imaging, and pathology are reviewed. Management, including surgical treatment, is discussed. Tables describe intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal causes of acute abdominal pain, frequency of specific diagnoses in patients with acute abdominal pain, and common abdominal signs and findings noted on physical examination. Figures show abdominal pain in specific locations, a data sheet, the differential diagnosis of an abdominal mass by quadrant or region, characteristic patterns of abdominal pain, acute appendicitis with associated appendicolith, bilateral adrenal masses, adrenocortical carcinoma, retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma, pancreatic mass, a sagittal ultrasonogram of the pancreas, ultrasonograms of the liver, a dark and well circumscribed abdominal mass, gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, and percutaneous biopsy of a large abdominal mass. An algorithm outlines the assessment of acute abdominal pain and abdominal mass. This review contains 14 figures, 5 tables, and 143 references.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. e234576
Author(s):  
Moni Roy ◽  
Ashish Kumar Roy ◽  
Mary E McCrate

Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is an uncommon condition and commonly missed diagnostic aetiology of acute abdominal pain, initially described in 1976. SAM is a non-inflammatory, non-atherosclerotic vasculopathy mostly involving the abdominal arteries with notable asymmetric involvement of the walls of the mesenteric arteries and their branches. Clinical presentation ranges from postprandial abdominal discomfort suggestive of mesenteric ischaemia to intra-abdominal bleeding. Pathophysiological explanation and prognosis of these cases are not well understood and therefore no clear guidelines for management exist. In this case report, we emphasise the imaging modalities used to reach the diagnosis and the management options available.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vigil James ◽  
John Samuel ◽  
Chor Yek Kee ◽  
Gene Yong-Kwang Ong

Abstract Background The presence of intra-abdominal calcification in the pediatric population can be due to a wide range of conditions. Calcification in the abdomen can be seen in normal or abnormal anatomical structures. In some patients, abnormal calcification points towards the pathology; whereas in others, calcification itself is the pathology. After a thorough history and clinical examination, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) would complement the assessment of acute abdominal pain, based on the list of differentials generated as per the abdominal region. The main objective of this article is to review commonly encountered causes of intra-abdominal calcifications in the pediatric population and help in clinical decision-making in a Pediatric Emergency Department. Case presentation We describe a series of pediatric patients who presented to the Pediatric Emergency Department with acute abdominal pain, in whom point-of-care ultrasound helped expedite the diagnosis by identifying varying types of calcification and associated sonological findings. For children who present to the Pediatric Emergency Department with significant abdominal pain, a rapid distinction between emergencies and non-emergencies is vital to decrease morbidity and mortality. Conclusions In a child presenting to the Pediatric Emergency Department with abdominal pain, POCUS and the findings of calcifications can narrow or expand the differential diagnosis when integrated with history and physical exam, to a specific anatomic structure. Integrating these findings with additional sonological findings of an underlying pathology might raise sufficient concerns in the emergency physicians to warrant further investigations for the patient in the form of a formal radiological ultrasound and assist in the patient's early disposition. The use of POCUS might also help to categorize the type of calcification to one of the four main categories of intra-abdominal calcifications, namely concretions, conduit wall calcification, cyst wall calcification, and solid mass-type calcification. POCUS used thoughtfully can give a diagnosis and expand differential diagnosis, reduce cognitive bias, and reduce physician mental load. By integrating the use of POCUS with the history and clinical findings, it will be possible to expedite the management in children who present to the Pediatric Emergency Department with acute abdominal pain.


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