wk 8 4 - Abdominal Pain differential diagnosis

Question 1

patient describes a mass, what are the appropriate history questions?

Answer 1

tender?
duration?
change - lying down? exercise? 
weight loss?
bowel habits?
Urinary/Gynae symptoms? 
Jaundice?
Vomiting?
weight loss?
anorexia?

Question 2

likely characteristics of an abdominal mass

Answer 2

tender
fixed? moves on respiration?
Pulsatile?
Smooth edge? Hard edge?

Question 3

bruit may be auscultated, what is this

Answer 3

a murmur-type sound

Question 4

investigations of an abdominal mass

Answer 4

CRX - free air under diaphragm? lung metastases?
AXR - dilated small/large bowel loops? calcification of aorta?
Ultrasound
CT
upper Gi/sigmoido/colonoscopy +/- biopsy
ERCP
Lapraoscopy +/- biopsy