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Evaluation and management of acute abdominal pain in the emergency department

Authors Macaluso C, McNamara

Received 1 May 2012

Accepted for publication 25 June 2012

Published 26 September 2012 Volume 2012:5 Pages 789—797

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S25936

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2



Christopher R Macaluso, Robert M McNamara

Department of Emergency Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Abstract: Evaluation of the emergency department patient with acute abdominal pain is sometimes difficult. Various factors can obscure the presentation, delaying or preventing the correct diagnosis, with subsequent adverse patient outcomes. Clinicians must consider multiple diagnoses, especially those life-threatening conditions that require timely intervention to limit morbidity and mortality. This article will review general information on abdominal pain and discuss the clinical approach by review of the history and the physical examination. Additionally, this article will discuss the approach to unstable patients with abdominal pain.

Keywords: acute abdomen, emergency medicine, peritonitis

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