Aquifer - GI/GU Flashcards
(137 cards)
In general, a pattern of insidious onset of abdominal pain suggests what?
Inflammation of the visceral peritoneum alone or a well-contained process like an abscess
In general, crampy or colicky abdominal pain suggests what?
Obstruction in a peristaltic organ (like a bowel or ureter)
Progression of abdominal pain from a dull, diffuse pain to a sharp, well-defined pain suggests what?
Disease progression and possible need for surgery
DDx - Abdominal Pain and Vomiting (adolescent female)
- Appendicitis
- Cholecystitis
- Pregnancy
- Hepatitis
- Pancreatitis
- PID
- UTI
- Acute gastroenteritis
- Mesenteric adenitis
- Ovarian torsion
Presentation of appendicitis?
Classic pattern (60%): periumbilical pain followed by migration of pain to the RLQ; diffuse abdominal pain is possible (as in the case of peritonitis due to rupture)
Note - tenderness over McBurney’s point is commonly seen in adults, but less frequently found in children
Common: anorexia, N/V, fever (non-specific finding)
Uncommon: diarrhea
Presentation of cholecystitis?
Steady, usually constant pain, most often in the RUQ, that may radiate to the shoulder
Murphy’s sign (specific for cholecystitis) - increased pain upon palpation of the area when the patient takes a deep breath
Pain worsens after eating, especially fatty foods
Episodes may be intermittent (colicky) and accompanied by decreased appetite, N/V
Less common in children than adults, but does occur
Presentation of pregnancy?
Delayed or missed periods
Non-specific complaints - lower abdominal pain, urinary frequency, fatigue, N/V
Must be considered even when sexual activity is denied
Chadwick’s sign (bluish color of vaginal wall and cervix), changes to the uterus
Ectopic pregnancy must be considered, especially with history of STI alone or with PID
Presentation of unruptured ectopic pregnancy?
Lower abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, abnormal menstrual history
Physical exam may be completely normal, though classic signs include diffuse abdominal tenderness and unilateral adnexal or cervical motion tenderness
Fever and uterine changes are rare
Presentation of ruptured ectopic pregnancy?
Surgical emergency
Abominal guarding suggesting intraperitoneal bleeding, hypotension correlates with degree of blood loss
Presentation of hepatitis?
Fever, malaise, diffuse or RUQ abdominal pain, N/V, NO diarrhea
Jaundice, change in color of urine
Onset of symptoms depends on etiology
Alcohol use may directly cause hepatitis or predipose to increased risk-taking behaviors and acquisition of infectious hepatitis
Hepatitis A is transmitted fecal-oral, recent travel would make this a possibility
Hepatomegaly on exam
Presentation of pancreatitis?
Diffuse abdominal pain, but other patterns (epigastric or RUQ) are more common; band-like pain radiating to the back
Pain is constant and usually severe
N/V almost always present
Low-grade fevers are common
Causes include gallbladder disease, infection, alcohol use, injury, certain medications, and inherited conditions
Presentation of PID?
Abdominal pain, more typically in the lower abdomen; RUQ pain occur with Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome, an occasional (5%) complication of PID caused by N. gonorrhea or C. trachomatis - this pain is sudden and may refer to the R shoulder
Fever, if severe
Vomiting (sometimes)
Cervical motion tenderness, uterine tenderness, and adnexel tenderness
Purulent cervical discharge
Presentation of UTI?
Dysuria, frequency, and urgency
Poorly localized abdominal pain
Fever or CVA tenderness suggests pyelonephritis
Previous history of UTIs may suggest underlying structural abnormalities
More common in sexually active women
Presentation of acute gastroenteritis?
Vomiting
Diarrhea typically becomes the most pronounced symptom after a few days
History of sick contacts
Presentation of mesenteric adenitis?
Acute or chronic abdominal pain
May mimic appendicitis
Dx - U/S
Viral (most common) or bacterial infection, IBD, and lymphoma
Presentation of ovarian torsion?
Most common in post-menarchal women, can happen in any age
Abdominal pain (stabbing) in the lower abdomen or pelvic region
N/V
Mot common condition requiring emergency surgery in the pediatric population?
Acute appendicitis (60,000-80,000 cases/year in the US)
What age group is appendicitis more common in?
School age children (vs. children <5 y/o)
What percent of children presenting with abdominal pain have acute appendicitis?
1-8%
True or false - up to 1/3 of pediatric patients have atypical presentations, leading to missed diagnoses and a high incidence of perforation
True
Diagnosis of appendicitis?
Difficult, requires an accurate history and thorough physical
CBC with differential or CRP
What is McBurney’s point? Sensitivity and specificity for appendicitis?
1.5-2” from the anterior superior spinous process of the ilium on a straight line drawn from that process to the umbilicus
Sensitivity - 50-94%
Specificity - 75-86%
Presentation of testicular torsion?
Usually occurs in early adolescence
Acute onset of severe hemi-scrotal pain, N/V, may cause referred adominal pain
Physical exam - enlarged tender testis, scrotal edema, absence of cremasteric muscle reflex
Management of testicular torsion?
Emergent urology consult
Dx mainly by clinical suspicion, color doppler or nuclear testicular scan may be useful but should not delay Rx if Dx is evidence
Surgical exploration and detorsion must occur promptly (irreversible changes can occur within 4 hours)