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

The diagnosis of acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion in the dog has been achieved in every case by isotope scanning of the abdomen using technetium-labelled red cells or technetium-labelled human serum albumin. The white cell count is also significantly elevated, but the changes in the levels of the enzymes CPK, LDH, AST and serum amylase are not specific for actue mesenteric ischaemia. In the human the presence of a normal gut circulation can be demonstrated by isotope scanning provided that the patient is not severely shocked. The presence of a normal gut circulation as shown on the scintigram conclusively eliminates the possibility of acute main trunk occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery. This should be of help in differentiating acute occulusive mesenteric ischaemia from other causes of the acute abdomen. Abdominal scintiscanning is complementary to angiography, which still remains the most precise means of diagnosing acute mesenteric ischaemia. Although the abdominal scintigram is more limited in its application and is not as accurate as angiography, it is quicker to perform, non-invasive, and entirely safe. Abdominal scintiscanning is an excellent screening test to be used in patients suspected of suffering from acute occlusive mesenteric ischaemia.
 ...
PMID:The early diagnosis of acute occlusive mesenteric ischaemia: experimental results and clinical applications. 28 87

Two hundred and fifty-two patients with acute abdominal pain were admitted to Wellington Hospital during three consecutive months in 1982. The prevalence of the surgical acute abdomen in these patients was 35%. There was no significant difference in performance between the peripheral blood white cell count (WCC) and neutrophil count (NC) when used as diagnostic tests of surgical acute abdomen. Neither test is sufficiently sensitive or specific to be a good predictor of surgical acute abdomen. It is recommended that the WCC be used sparingly and interpreted as a continuously distributed rather than dichotomous diagnostic test. There is no advantage in using the NC.
 ...
PMID:Patients with acute abdominal pain: white cell and neutrophil counts as predictors of the surgical acute abdomen. 385 15

A 29-year-old patient was admitted with acute abdomen in the 17th week of pregnancy. History revealed two episodes of colic in the right hypochondriac area during the previous six months, but no other abdominal complaints. Clinically the picture was that of acute cholecystitis. Laboratory findings included an elevated white cell count, a slight elevation of serum transaminases and a marked increase of serum alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. Echographically there were dilated intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts containing two hyperechogenic elements without casting an acoustic shadow. A hydrops of the gallbladder with sludge and a thickening of the wall could also been seen. Because of pregnancy an ERCP could not be performed due to the need for X-ray, so we had to resort to open surgery. Under tocolytic and antibiotic shielding we carried out open cholecystectomy and choledochoscopic exploration of the common bile duct. Using a Fogarty balloon catheter we extracted two live, adult liver flukes and placed a T-tube in the duct. Because of positive fecal probes for fasciola eggs the T-tube had to be left in place until childbirth. Afterwards we performed a pre-cut-papillotomy by ERCP and took the T-tube out, having confirmed a clear duct on a T-tube-cholangiogram. With negative fecal probes and the eosinophilia on the white cell count returning to normal, we decided against the planned chemotherapy and assumed self-healing of the disease. The patient has been well since.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
 ...
PMID:[Fasciola hepatica--a unusual cause of acute cholecystitis with cholestatic jaundice]. 748 18

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is defined as infection of preexisting ascites without evidence for any intraabdominal source for secondary infection. SBP is now recognized with rising frequency and has mainly been reported in patients with alcohol-induced cirrhosis of the liver. We report SBP in a female dialysis patient whose ascites was not due to liver disease, but was possibly due to lupus erythematosus or represented 'nephrogenic ascites'. The patient had severe abdominal pain and a positive rebound phenomenon, fever and an elevated peripheral white cell count of 21,000 cells/microliters. Ascitic fluid analysis revealed an exudate with a protein concentration of 5.2 g/dl, 13,000 white cells/microliters with 94% neutrophils and positive cultures for Streptococcus morbillorum. Because of the dramatic clinical features the patient underwent laparotomy which did not reveal a source for secondary infection and in retrospect was unnecessary. The patient responded well to antibiotic therapy. This case report draws attention to SBP as a cause of acute abdomen in patients on chronic hemodialysis.
 ...
PMID:Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in a hemodialysis patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. 779 66