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ABDOMINAL PAIN, CHRONIC RECURRENT

Contents
  1. Read book excerpt
  2. Pain: Introduction
  3. News
  4. Clinical trials
  5. Diagnosis of Pain
  6. Pain Overview
  7. More book excerpts for Pain

ABDOMINAL PAIN, CHRONIC RECURRENT: Excerpt from Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs

Ask the following questions:

  1. Is there a family history of migraine or epilepsy? Migraine and epilepsy both present with abdominal pain.
  2. Is the pain colicky or persistent? Chronic colicky abdominal pain may be due to chronic cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, renal calculus, or partial intestinal obstruction.
  3. What is the location of the pain? If the pain is located in the upper abdomen, then one should consider peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, and cholelithiasis. If the pain is located in the flanks, one should consider renal calculus and pyelonephritis. If the pain is located in the lower abdomen, one should consider diverticulitis, salpingitis, endometritis, and chronic appendicitis. Regional ileitis also may be located in the lower abdomen, particularly in the right lower quadrant.
  4. What is the relationship to meals? Abdominal pain relieved by food may be due to a peptic ulcer. Abdominal pain brought on by food may be due to abdominal angina. If the pain comes on 2 to 3 hr after a meal, it may be due to a peptic ulcer. On the other hand, pain that comes on 1 to 2 hr after meals, especially if it's a fatty meal, may be related to cholecystitis and cholelithiasis.
  5. Is there fever associated with the abdominal pain? Fever and abdominal pain may be due to pyelonephritis, diverticulitis, or appendicitis.
  6. Is there a history of chronic alcoholism? The history of chronic alcoholism suggests acute and chronic pancreatitis.
  7. Is there blood in the stool? The presence of blood in the stool would, of course, suggest peptic ulcer disease and diverticulitis.
  8. Is there an abdominal mass? The presence of an abdominal mass, particularly in the midepigastrium, suggests a pancreatic cyst related to chronic pancreatitis. A mass in the right lower quadrant might be related to regional ileitis or salpingitis. A mass in the left lower quadrant may be related to diverticulitis and salpingitis.

DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP

Routine laboratory tests include a CBC, sedimentation rate, urinalysis, urine culture, sensitivity, colony count, chemistry panel, serum amylase and lipase, pregnancy test, stool for occult blood, and stools for ovum and parasites. A chest x-ray, EKG, and flat plate of the abdomen should also be done. A urine porphobilinogen will help exclude porphyria.

If these tests are negative, then an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, esophagogram, and gallbladder ultrasound would be done for upper abdominal pain; an IVP would be done for flank pain; and a barium enema and sigmoidoscopy would be performed for lower abdominal pain.

If these studies are inconclusive, a gastroenterologist should be consulted for endoscopic procedures. If there is upper abdominal pain, esophagoscopy, gastroscopy, and duodenoscopy would be performed. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may be required to diagnose cholangitis or common duct stones. If there is lower abdominal pain, colonoscopy would be performed. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is a useful diagnostic tool also. Gallium scans may detect a diverticular abscess or other localized area of chronic inflammation. Pelvic ultrasound may be useful in lower abdominal pain, especially in females. Aortography and angiography will be useful in abdominal angina. Lymphangiography can be helpful in discovering retroperitoneal tumors. Ultimately, exploratory laparotomy may still be necessary in some cases.

 

Book Source Details

  • Book Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs
  • Author(s): R. Douglas Collins
  • Year of Publication: 2003
  • Copyright Details: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, Copyright © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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  • Arm pain
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  • Chest pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
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  • Facial pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
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  • Flank pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
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  • Jaw pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
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  • Leg Pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
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  • Neck pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
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  • Rectal pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
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  • Throat pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
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  • Scrotal Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
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  • Chest Pain, Atypical
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
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  • Low Back Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
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  • Abdominal Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
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  • Calf Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • [ read ]
  • Chronic Pelvic Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • [ read ]
  • Hip Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • [ read ]
  • Knee Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • [ read ]
  • Neck Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • [ read ]
  • Pleuritic Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • [ read ]
  • Shoulder Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
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  • Eye Pain
  • "Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis" (2007)
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  • Abdominal pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
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  • Back pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Chest pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Eye pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Flank pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Jaw pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Neck pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Arm pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Back pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Breast pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Chest pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Eye pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Facial pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Flank pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Jaw pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Leg pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Neck pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Rectal pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Throat pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Abdominal Pain
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • [ read ]
  • Back Pain
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • [ read ]
  • Chest Pain
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • [ read ]
  • Arm pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Back pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Chest pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Flank pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Jaw pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Leg pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Neck pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • ARM PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • EYE PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • HIP PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • [ read ]
 

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.



More About This Book:
Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs
Authors: R. Douglas Collins
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright: 2003
ISBN: 0-7817-3805-9

 » Next page: GIRDLE PAIN (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)

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