ABDOMINAL PAIN :ABDOMINAL PAIN Location
Work-up
Acute pain syndromes
Chronic pain syndromes
Epigastric Pain :Epigastric Pain PUD
GERD
MI
AAA- abdominal aortic aneurysm
Pancreatic pain
Gallbladder and common bile duct obstruction
Right Upper Quadrant Pain :Right Upper Quadrant Pain Acute Cholecystitis and Biliary Colic
Acute Hepatitis or Abscess
Hepatomegaly due to CHF
Perforated Duodenal Ulcer
Herpes Zoster
Myocardial Ischemia
Right Lower Lobe Pneumonia
Left Upper Quadrant Pain :Left Upper Quadrant Pain Acute Pancreatitis
Gastric ulcer
Gastritis
Splenic enlargement, rupture or infarction
Myocardial ischemia
Left lower lobe pneumonia
Right lower Quadrant Pain :Right lower Quadrant Pain Appendicitis
Regional Enteritis
Small bowel obstruction
Leaking Aneurysm
Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy
PID
Twisted Ovarian Cyst
Ureteral Calculi
Hernia
Left Lower Quadrant Pain :Left Lower Quadrant Pain Diverticulitis
Leaking Aneurysm
Ruptured Ectopic pregnancy
PID
Twisted Ovarian Cyst
Ureteral Calculi
Hernia
Regional Enteritis
Periumbilical Pain :Periumbilical Pain Disease of transverse colon
Gastroenteritis
Small bowel pain
Appendicitis
Early bowel obstruction
Diffuse Pain :Diffuse Pain Generalized peritonitis
Acute Pancreatitis
Sickle Cell Crisis
Mesenteric Thrombosis
Gastroenteritis
Metabolic disturbances
Dissecting or Rupturing Aneurysm
Intestinal Obstruction
Psychogenic illness
Referred Pain :Referred Pain Pneumonia (lower lobes)
Inferior myocardial infarction
Pulmonary infarction
TYPES OF ABDOMINAL PAIN :TYPES OF ABDOMINAL PAIN Visceral
originates in abdominal organs covered by peritoneum
Colic
crampy pain
Parietal
from irritation of parietal peritoneum
Referred
produced by pathology in one location felt at another location
Slide 11:ORGANIC VERSUS FUNCTIONAL PAIN
HISTORY ORGANIC FUNCTIONAL
Pain character Acute, persistent pain Less likely to change
increasing in intensity
Pain localization Sharply localized Various locations
Pain in relation to sleep Awakens at night No affect
Pain in relation to Further away At umbilicus
umbilicus
Associated symptoms Fever, anorexia, Headache, dizziness,
vomiting, wt loss, multiple system com-
anemia, elevated ESR plaints
Psychological stress None reported Present
WORK-UP OF ABDOMINAL PAIN :WORK-UP OF ABDOMINAL PAIN HISTORY
Onset
Qualitative description
Intensity
Frequency
Location - Does it go anywhere (referred)?
Duration
Aggravating and relieving factors
WORK-UP :WORK-UP PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Inspection
Auscultation
Percussion
Palpation
Guarding - rebound tenderness
Rectal exam
Pelvic exam
WORK-UP :WORK-UP LABORATORY TESTS
U/A
CBC
Additional depending on rule outs
amylase, lipase, LFT’s
WORK-UP :WORK-UP DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES
Plain X-rays (flat plate)
Contrast studies - barium (upper and lower GI series)
Ultrasound
CT scanning
Endoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy
Common Acute Pain Syndromes :Common Acute Pain Syndromes Appendicitis
Acute diverticulitis
Cholecystitis
Pancreatitis
Perforation of an ulcer
Intestinal obstruction
Ruptured AAA
Pelvic disorders
APPENDICITIS :APPENDICITIS Inflammatory disease of wall of appendix
Diagnosis based on history and physical
Classic sequence of symptoms
abdominal pain (begins epigastrium or periumbilical area, anorexia, nausea or vomiting
followed by pain over appendix and low grade fever
DIAGNOSIS :DIAGNOSIS Physical examination
low grade fever
McBurney’s point
rebound, guarding, +psoas sign
CBC, HCG
WBC range from 10,000-16,000
SURGERY
DIVERTICULITIS :DIVERTICULITIS Results from stagnation of fecal material in single diverticulum leading to pressure necrosis of mucosa and inflammation
Clinical presentation
most pts have h/o diverticula
mild to moderate, colicky to steady, aching abdominal pain - usually LLQ
may have fever and leukocytosis
Slide 20:PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
With obstruction bowel sounds hyperactive
Tenderness over affected section of bowel
DIAGNOSIS
Often made on clinical grounds
CBC - will not always see leukocytosis
MANAGEMENT
Spontaneous resolution common with low-grade fever, mild
leukocytosis, and minimal abdominal pain
Treat at home with limited physical activity, reducing fluid
intake, and oral antibiotics (bactrim DS bid or cipro 500mg
bid & flagyl 500 mg tid for 7-14 days)
Treatment is usually stopped when asymptomatic
Patients who present acutely ill with possible signs of systemic
peritonititis,, sepsis, and hypovolemia need admission
CHOLECYSTITIS :CHOLECYSTITIS Results from obstruction of cystic or common bile duct by large gallstones
Colicky pain with progression to constant pain in RUQ that may radiate to R scapula
Physical findings
tender to palpation or percussion RUQ
may have palpable gallbladder
Slide 22:DIAGNOSIS
CBC, LFTs (bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase),
serum pancreatic enzymes
Plain abdominal films demonstrate biliary air
hepatomegaly, and maybe gallstones
Ultrasound - considered accurate about 95%
MANAGEMENT
Admission
PANCREATITIS :PANCREATITIS History of cholelithiasis or ETOH abuse
Pain steady and boring, unrelieved by position change - LUQ with radiation to back - nausea and vomiting, diaphoretic
Physical findings;
acutely ill with abdominal distention, ? BS
diffuse rebound
upper abd may show muscle rigidity
Slide 24:Diagnostic studies
- CBC
- Ultrasound
- Serum amylase and lipase
- amylase rises 2-12 hours after onset and
returns to normal in 2-3 days
- lipase is elevated several days after attack
Management
- Admission
PEPTIC ULCER PERFORATION :PEPTIC ULCER PERFORATION Life-threatening complication of peptic ulcer disease - more common with duodenal than gastric
Predisposing factors
Helicobacter pylori infections
NSAIDs
hypersecretory states
Slide 26:Sudden onset of severe intense, steady epigasric
pain with radiation to sides, back, or right
shoulder
Past h/o burning, gnawing pain worse with
empty stomach
Physical findings
- epigastric tenderness
- rebound tenderness
- abdominal muscle rigidity
Diagnostic studies
- upright or lateral decubitis X-ray shows
air under the diaphragm or peritoneal
cavity
REFER - SURGICAL EMERGENCY
SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION :SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION Distention results in decreased absorption and increased secretions leading to further distention and fluid and electrolyte imbalance
Number of causes
Sudden onset of crampy pain usually in umbilical area of epigastrium - vomiting occurs early with small bowel and late with large bowel
Slide 28:Physical findings
- hyperactive, high-pitched BS
- fecal mass may be palpable
- abdominal distention
- empty rectum on digital exam
Diagnosis
- CBC
- serum amylase
- stool for occult blood
- type and crossmatch
- abdominal X-ray
Management
- Hospitalization
RUPTURED AORTIC ANEURYSM :RUPTURED AORTIC ANEURYSM AAA is abnormal dilation of abdominal aorta forming aneurysm that may rupture and cause exsanguination into peritoneum
More frequent in elderly
Sudden onset of excrutiating pain may be felt in chest or abdomen and may radiate to legs and back
Slide 30:Physical findings
- appears shocky
- VS reflect impending shock
- deficit or difference in femoral pulses
Diagnosis
- CT or MRI
- ECG, cardiac enzymes
SURGICAL EMERGENCY
PELVIC PAIN :PELVIC PAIN Ectopic pregnancy
PID
UTI
Ovarian cysts
CHRONIC PAIN SYNDROMES :CHRONIC PAIN SYNDROMES Irritable bowel syndrome
Chronic pancreatitis
Diverticulosis
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Inflammatory bowel disease
Duodenal ulcer
Gastric ulcer
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME :IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME GI condition classified as functional as no identifiable structural or biochemical abnormalities
Affects 14%-24% of females and 5%-19% of males
Onset in late adolescence to early adulthood
Rare to see onset > 50 yrs old
SYMPTOMS :SYMPTOMS Pain described as nonradiating, intermittent, crampy located lower abdomen
Usually worse 1-2 hrs after meals
Exacerbated by stress
Relieved by BM
Does not interrupt sleep
critical to diagnosis of IBS
DIAGNOSISROME DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA :DIAGNOSISROME DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA 3 month minimum of following symptoms in continuous or recurrent pattern
Abdominal pain or discomfort relieved by BM & associated with either:
Change in frequency of stools
and/or
Change in consistency of stools
Slide 36:Two or more of following symptoms on
25% of occasions/days:
Altered stool frequency
>3 BMs daily or <3BMs/week
Altered stool form
Lumpy/hard or loose/watery
Altered stool passage
Straining, urgency, or feeling of incomplete
evacuation
Passage of mucus
Feeling of bloating or abdominal distention
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS :DIAGNOSTIC TESTS Limited - R/O organic disease
CBC with diff
ESR
Electrolytes
BUN, creatinine
TSH
Stool for occult blood and O & P
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
MANAGEMENT :MANAGEMENT Goals of management
- exclude presence of underlying organic
disease
- provide support, support, & reassurance
Dietary modification
Pharmacotherapy
Alternative therapies
Slide 39:Physician consultation is indicated if initial
treatment of IBS fails, if organic disease is
suspected, and/or if the patient who presents
with a change in bowel habits is over 50
CHRONIC PANCREATITIS :CHRONIC PANCREATITIS Alcohol major cause
Malnutrition - outside US
Patients >40 yrs with pancreatic dysfunction must be evaluated for pancreatic cancer
Dysfunction between 20 to 40 yrs old R/O cystic fibrosis
50% of pts with chronic pancreatitis die within 25 yrs of diagnosis
SYMPTOMS :SYMPTOMS Pain - may be absent or severe, recurrent or constant
Usually abdominal, sometimes referred upper back, anterior chest, flank
Wt loss, diarrhea, oily stools
N, V, or abdominal distention less reported
DIAGNOSIS :DIAGNOSIS CBC
Serum amylase (present during acuteattacks)
Serum lipase
Serum bilirubin
Serum glucose
Serum alkaline phosphatase
Stool for fecal fat
CT scan
MANAGEMENT :MANAGEMENT Should be comanaged with a specialist
Pancreatic dysfunction
- diabetes
- steatorrhea & diarrhea
- enzyme replacement
DIVERTICULOSIS :DIVERTICULOSIS Uncomplicated disease, either asymptomatic or symptomatic
Considered a deficiency disease of 20th century Western civilization
Rare in first 4 decades - occurs in later years
Incidence - 50% to 65% by 80 years
SYMPTOMS :SYMPTOMS 80% - 85% remain symptomless - found by diagnostic study for other reason
Irregular defecation, intermittent abdominal pain, bloating, or excessive flatulence
Change in stool - flattened or ribbonlike
Recurrent bouts of steady or crampy pain
May mimic IBS except older age
DIAGNOSIS :DIAGNOSIS CBC
Stool for occult blood
Barium enema
MANAGEMENT :MANAGEMENT Increased fiber intake - 35 g/day
Increase fiber intake gradually
Avoid
popcorn
corn
nuts
seeds
GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE :GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE Movement of gastric contents from stomach to esophagus
May produce S & S within esophagus, pharynx, larynx, respiratory tract
Most prevalent condition affecting GI tract
About 15% of adults use antacid > 1x/wk
SYMPTOMS :SYMPTOMS Heartburn - most common (severity of does not correlate with extent of tissue damage)
Burning, gnawing in mid-epigastrium worsens with recumbency
Water brash (appearance of salty-tasting fluid in mouth because stimulate saliva secretion)
Occurs after eating may be relieved with antacids (occurs within 1 hr of eating - usually large meal of day)
Slide 50:Dysphagia & odynophagia predictive of
severe disease
Chest pain - may mimic angina
Foods that may precipitate heartburn
- high fat or sugar
- chocolate, coffee, & onions
- citrus, tomato-based, spicy
Cigarette smoking and alcohol
Aspirin, NSAIDS, potassium, pills
DIAGNOSIS :DIAGNOSIS History of heartburn without other symptoms of serious disease
Empiric trial of medication without testing
Testing for those who do have persistent or unresponsive heartburn or signs of tissue injury
CBC, H. pylori antibody
Barium swallow
Endoscopy for severe or atypical symptoms
MANAGEMENT :MANAGEMENT Lifestyle changes
smoking cessation
reduce ETOH consumption
reduce dietary fat
decreased meal size
weight reduction
elevate head of bed 6 inches
Slide 53:elimination of medications that are mucosal irritants or
that lower esophageal pressure
avoidance of chocolate, peppermint, coffee, tea, cola
beverages, tomato juice, citrus fruit juices
avoidance of supine position for 2 hours after meal
avoidance of tight fitting clothes
MEDICATIONS :MEDICATIONS Antacids with lifestyle changes may be sufficient
H?-histamine receptor antagonists in divided doses
approximately 48% of pts with esophagitis will heal on this regimen
tid dosing more effective for symptom relief and healing
long-term use is appropriate
Slide 55:Proton pump inhibitors - prilosec & prevacid
- once a day dosing
- compared with H?RA have greater
efficacy relieving symptoms & healing
- treat moderate to severe for 8 wks
- may continue with maintenance to
prevent relapse
MAINTENANCE THERAPY :MAINTENANCE THERAPY High relapse rate - 50% within 2 months, 82% within 6 months without maintenance
If symptoms return after treatment need maintenance
Full dose H?RA for most patients with nonerosive GERD
Proton pump inhibitors for severe or complicated
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE :INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE Chronic inflammatory condition involving intestinal tract with periods of remission and exacerbation
Two types
Ulcerative colitis (UC)
Crohn’s disease
ULCERATIVE COLITIS :ULCERATIVE COLITIS Chronic inflammation of colonic mucosa
Inflammation diffuse & continuous beginning in rectum
May involve entire colon or only rectum (proctitis)
Inflammation is continuous
CROHN’S DISEASE :CROHN’S DISEASE Chronic inflammation of all layers on intestinal tract
Can involve any portion from mouth to anus
30%-40% small intestine (ileitis)
40%-45% small & large intestine (ileocolitis)
15%-25% colon (Crohn’s colitis)
Inflammation can be patchy
Slide 60:Annual incidence of UC & Crohn’s similar
in both age of onset & worldwide distribution
About 20% more men have UC
About 20% more women have Crohn’s
Peak age of onset - between 15 & 25 yrs
SYMPTOMS :SYMPTOMS Both have similar presentations
Abdominal pain may be only complaint and may have been intermittent for years
Abdominal pain and diarrhea present in most pts
Pain diffuse or localized to RLQ-LLQ
Cramping sensation - intermittent or constant
Slide 62:Tenesmus & fecal incontinence
Stools loose and/or watery - may have blood
Rectal bleeding common with colitis
Other complaints
- fatigue
- weight loss
- anorexia
- fever, chills
- nausea, vomiting
- joint pains
- mouth sores
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION :PHYSICAL EXAMINATION May be in no distress to acutely ill
Oral apthous ulcers
Tender lower abdomen
Hyperactive bowel sounds
Stool for occult blood may be +
Perianal lesions
Need to look for fistulas & abscesses
DIAGNOSIS :DIAGNOSIS CBC
Stool for culture, ova & parasites, C. difficile
Stool for occult blood
Flexible sigmoidoscopy - useful to determine source of bright red blood
Colonoscopy with biopsy
Endoscopy may show “skip” areas
May be difficult to distinguish one from other
MANAGEMENT :MANAGEMENT Should be comanaged with GI
5-aminosalicylic acid products
Corticosteroids
Immunosuppressives
Surgery
DUODENAL ULCERS :DUODENAL ULCERS Incidence increasing secondary to increasing use of NSAIDs, H. pylori infections
Imbalance both in amount of acid-pepsin production delivered form stomach to duodenum and ability of lining to protect self
RISK FACTORS :RISK FACTORS Stress
Cigarette smoking
COPD
Alcohol
Chronic ASA & NSAID use
GENETIC FACTORS :GENETIC FACTORS Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
First degree relatives with disease
Blood group O
Elevated levels of pepsinogen I
Presence of HLA-B5 antigen
Decreased RBC acetylcholinesterase
INCIDENCE :INCIDENCE About 16 million individuals will have during lifetime
More common than gastric ulcers
Peak incidence; 5th decade for men, 6th decade for women
75%-80% recurrence rate within 1yr of diagnosis without maintenance therapy
>90% of duodenal ulcers caused by H.pylori
SYMPTOMS :SYMPTOMS Epigastric pain
Sharp, burning, aching, gnawing pain occurring 1? - 3 hrs after meals or in middle of night
Pain relieved with antacids or food
Symptoms recurrent lasting few days to months
Weight gain not uncommon
DIAGNOSIS :DIAGNOSIS CBC
Serum for H. pylori
Stool for occult blood
MANAGEMENT :MANAGEMENT 2 week trial of antiulcer med - d/c NSAIDs
If H. pylori present - treat
If no H. pylori & symptoms do not resolve after 2 wks refer to GI for endoscopy
Antiulcer meds
H?RA; associated with 75%-90% healing over 4-6week period followed by 1 yr maintenance
inhibits P-450 pathway; drug interactions
MANAGEMENT (CONT) :MANAGEMENT (CONT) Proton pump inhibitors
daily dosing
documented improved efficacy over H?-RA blockers
Prostagladin therapy - misoprostol
use with individuals who cannot d/c NSAIDs
GASTRIC ULCERS :GASTRIC ULCERS H. pylori identified in 65% to 75% of patients with non-NSAID use
5% - 25% of patients taking ASA/NSAID develop gastric ulcers (inhibits synthesis of prostaglandin which is critical for mucosal defense)
Malignancy cause of
OTHER RISK FACTORS :OTHER RISK FACTORS Caffeine/coffee
Alcohol
Smoking
First-degree relative with gastric ulcer
SYMPTOMS :SYMPTOMS Pain similar to duodenal but may be increased by food
Location - LUQ radiating to back
Bloating, belching, nausea, vomiting, weight loss
NSAID-induced ulcers usually painless - discovered secondary to melena or iron deficiency anemia
DIAGNOSIS :DIAGNOSIS CBC
Serum for H. pylori
Carbon-labeled breath test
Stool for occult blood
Endoscopy
MANAGEMENT :MANAGEMENT Treat H.pylori if present
Proton pump inhibitors shown to be superior to H?-RA
Need to use proton pump inhibitor for up to 8 wks
Do not need maintenance if infection eradicated and NSAIDs d/c’d
Consider misoprostol if cannot d/c NSAID