acute abdomen

The term acute abdomen refers to a sudden, severe abdominal pain of unclear etiology that is less than 24 hours in duration. It is in many cases a medical emergency, requiring urgent and specific diagnosis. Several causes need surgical treatment.

The differential diagnoses of acute abdomen include but are not limited to:

1.Acute appendicitis.
2.Acute peptic ulcer and its complications.
3.Acute cholecystitis.
4.Acute pancreatitis.
5.Acute intestinal ischemia (See Section Below.)
6.Diabetic Ketoacidosis.
7.Acute Diverticulitis.
8.Ectopic Pregnancy with tubal rupture.
9.Acute peritonitis.
10.Bowel perforation with free air or bowel contents in the abdominal cavity.
11.Acute ureteral colic.
12.Bowel volvulus.
13.Acute pyelonephritis.
14.Adrenal crisis.