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Query: UMLS:C0003615 (appendicitis)
 4,439 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Intermittent incomplete intestinal obstruction was proven by sonography in 25 male and 48 female patients with an age range of 10 to 88 years. All of them suffered from intermittent colicky pain, nausea and meteorism followed by liquid stools. Only 52 patients had undergone a total of 69 abdominal operations. The pertinent symptoms could be traced back for 6 months to 10 years (4 +/- 3 years). In 47 patients, intake of bulky food during the last 12 to 48 hours triggered the onset of disorders. The preadmission diagnoses were: incomplete intestinal obstruction (only 21), gastroenteritis (15), biliary colic (13), peptic ulcer (10), renal colic (4), food intoxication (4), appendicitis (3), adnexitis (3). Sonographic findings were: inconstant lumen distension, visible bowel wall movements with contractions of 3 to 6 mm, food bolus, enhanced paradoxical peristalsis, proof of distended and collapsed gut segments, bowel wall edema and free peritoneal fluid. Based on these ultrasonic findings and trend observation, conservative treatment was successfully instituted. All patients were discharged symptom-free with no subsequent attacks for 12 months. 20 patients, subsequently suffering from complete intestinal obstruction after 1 to 3 years, were operated on, comprising 8 cases of intestinal resection, 7 cases of adhesiolysis and intestinal tube splinting, 3 cases of band dissection and 2 cases of palliative bypass procedures. The diagnostic accuracy of abdominal ultrasonography is clearly demonstrated by the fact, that 11 of these patients with intermittent incomplete intestinal obstruction and now suffering from complete obstruction had no previous abdominal surgery.
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PMID:[Intermittent incomplete ileus of the small intestine. Sonographic diagnosis and trends]. 217 61

In conclusion, the most important task in evaluating an immigrant or traveler with abdominal pain is to consider the myriad tropical diseases that mimic common western conditions. A careful history may point to antecedent symptoms and a time course that are incompatible with typical appendicitis, biliary colic, or bowel obstruction, but physical examination is generally not specific enough to differentiate between tropical and ordinary abdominal crises. Blood work for eosinophilia and a rapid examination of the stools by an experienced technician may indicate a need for judicious delay in exploratory laparotomy. In this interval, imaging studies, serologic tests, and therapeutic drug trials may clarify the diagnosis.
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PMID:Tropical medicine and the acute abdomen. 266 58

The incidence of acute abdominal pain ranges between 5-10% of all visits at emergency department. Abdominal emergencies of hospital visits may include surgical and non-surgical emergencies. The most common causes of acute abdomen are appendicitis, biliary colic, cholecystitis, diverticulitis, bowel obstruction, visceral perforation, pancreatitis, peritonitis, salpingitis, mesenteric adenitis and renal colic. Good skills in early diagnosis require a sound knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology of gastrointestinal tract, which are reflected during history taking and particularly, physical examination of the abdomen. Advanced diagnostic approaches such as radiography and endoscopy enhance the treatment for acute abdomen including pharmacological and surgical treatment. Therapeutic endoscopy, interventional radiology treatment and therapy using adult laparoscopy are the common modalities for treating patients with acute abdomen.
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PMID:Diagnostic approach and management of acute abdominal pain. 2331 78