An acute abdomen refers to a sudden, severe abdominal pain. It is in many cases a medical emergency, requiring urgent and specific diagnosis. Several causes need immediate surgical treatment. Differential diagnosis
The differential diagnosis of acute abdomen includes:
Acute appendicitis
Acute peptic ulcer and its complications
Acute cholecystitis
Acute pancreatitis
Acute intestinal ischemia (see section below)
Acute diverticulitis
Ectopic pregnancy with tubal rupture
Ovarian torsion
Acute peritonitis (including hollow viscus perforation)
Acute ureteric colic
Bowel volvulus
Bowel obstruction
Acute pyelonephritis
Adrenal crisis
Biliary colic
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Familial Mediterranean fever
Hemoperitoneum
Ruptured spleen
Kidney stone
Sickle cell anaemia
Carcinoid

Peritonitis
Acute abdomen is occasionally used synonymously with peritonitis. While this is not entirely incorrect, peritonitis is the more specific term, referring to inflammation of the peritoneum. It manifests on physical examination as rebound tenderness, or pain upon removal of pressure more than on application of pressure to the abdomen. Peritonitis may result from several of the above diseases, notably appendicitis and pancreatitis. While rebound tenderness is commonly associated with peritonitis, the most specific finding is rigidity. Ischemic acute abdomen
Vascular disorders are more likely to affect the small bowel than the large bowel.
Typically, treatment involves removal of the region of the bowel that has undergone infarction, and subsequent anastomosis of the remaining healthy tissue. Workup
Stable patients presenting to A&E (accident and emergency department) or ER (emergency room) with severe abdominal pain will almost always have an abdominal x-ray and/or a CT scan. These tests can provide a differential diagnosis between simple and complex pathologies. However, in the unstable patient, fluid resuscitation and a FAST-ultrasound are done first, and if the latter is positive for free fluid, straight to surgery. They may also provide evidence to the doctor whether surgical intervention is necessary.Patients will also most likely receive a complete blood count (or full blood count in the U.K.), looking for characteristic findings such as neutrophilia in appendicitis.Traditionally, the use of opiates or other painkillers in patients with an acute abdomen has been discouraged before the clinical examination, because these would alter the examination. However, the scientific literature does not reveal any negative results from these alterations. References


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