Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0000727 (acute abdomen)
 3,084 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The records of 106 consecutive patients referred to the University of Colorado Medical Center (UCMC) vasculitis study group during a 5-yr period were evaluated for gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations attributable to vasculitis. There were 3 groups: 18 with leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) on skin biopsy younger than 16 yr of age; 75 with LCV older than 16 yr of age; and 13 with polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). Significant GI manifestations at presentation or exacerbation of vasculitis occurred in 38 of 106 (36%) patients. These were more frequent in LCV patients younger than 16 yr (66%), than older LCV patients (26%) or PAN patients (46%). The commonest complaint was abdominal pain (79%), followed by nausea (63%), vomiting (37%) and diarrhea (23%). GI bleeding was present in 52% and acute abdomen in 21% of patients. No consistent radiologic findings were noted. Duodenal and peritoneal biopsies suggested vasculitis in 6 LCV patients. Seven exploratory laparotomies were performed in 4 LCV and 3 PAN patients. Intestinal infarction was found in 3 patients with PAN, but in one of the LCV patients. Two patients with LCV with an acute abdomen were not explored and responded promptly to iv corticosteroids. Thus, systemic vasculitis frequently involves the GI tract. In patients with LCV, recognition of this association and treatment with corticosteroids can avoid surgery. In our patients with PAN, however, acute abdominal signs indicated infarction requiring surgery and resection.
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PMID:Gastrointestinal involvement in leukocytoclastic vasculitis and polyarteritis nodosa. 610 71

Bowel infarction commonly presents as an acute abdomen that rapidly progresses to severe shock. The diagnosis is often not clinically suspected. Three cases are described where the diagnosis was made during dynamic contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT), when gas was demonstrated in the portal venous system and liver. Two patients died during surgery, the third survived because of the prompt diagnosis made on CT, and subsequent surgical treatment. The radiological findings are reviewed.
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PMID:Urgent contrast enhanced computed tomography in the diagnosis of acute bowel infarction. 1220 21

Spontaneous dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is a rare condition. Here we report 2 cases of spontaneous SMA dissection causing acute abdomen. Bowel infarction did not occur in either case despite total occlusion or severe stenosis of the SMA;we successfully managed isolated SMA dissection without surgical intervention. Our nonoperative management regimen for spontaneous SMA dissection consisted of intestinal rest with fasting, administration of a vasodilator, and blood pressure control. Surgical intervention should be unnecessary unless complications, such as intestinal infarction and abdominal angina, occur.
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PMID:Spontaneous dissection of the superior mesenteric artery as a rare cause of acute abdomen: report of two cases. 1957 3