Acute Abdomen Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Acute Abdomen Deck (10)
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1
Q

Define acute abdomen

A

abdominal condition causing severe pain requiring surgical intervention

2
Q

what are the commonest causes of acute abdomen

A
intestinal obstruction (35%)
acute appendicitis (25%)
3
Q

what is Cope’s psoas sign?

A

pain on extension and flexion of the hip

appendicitis

4
Q
what Imaging Ix for:
RUQ
LUQ
RLQ
LLQ
SP?
A
RUQ - USS
LUQ - CT
RLQ - contrast-enhanced CT
LLQ - contrast-enhanced CT
SP - USS
5
Q

what can plain XR see in the abdomen?

A

free air
calcifications
obstruction

CT is generally baseline Ix for acute abdomen

6
Q

where can colicky pain present?

A

in any hollow viscus with smooth muscle

  • intestine
  • gallbladder
  • biliary tree
  • ureter
7
Q

what does biliary colicky pain feel like

A

misnomer - not peak and trough, just comes on few hours after meal, lasts few hours then subsides

8
Q

why does CECT work on abdominal inflammation?

A

more inflammation = more blood flow = more uptake of contrast

9
Q

what is a phlegmon

A

inflammatory mass

sometimes the body can make a phlegmon during appendicitis, blocking the appendix off from the intestine, and this can be managed conservatively

10
Q

sequence of appendicitis?

A
mucocele
venous pressure build up 
arterial ischaemia
gangrene
perforation

normally at day 3 the omentum forms mass around appendix to limit spread of infection