Epiploic Appendagitis: Systematic Review of a Distinctive Pathology

Introduction: Epiploic appendagitis (EA) is an essential cause of abdominal pain that can be confused with more typical causes such as acute diverticulitis and appendicitis. Epiploic appendagitis accounts for 1% of all cases of abdominal pain in adults. The scarcity of information has limited its recognition as an essential nonsurgical cause of acute abdominal pain.Methods: We performed a systematic review of all EA cases published. We searched Scopus, Medline, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to retrieve all available studies from January 2000 to November 2023.Results: 196 case reports and case series were analyzed, with 371 patients with EA included. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 39 years. Most patients were male (59%). The primary presenting symptoms were pain (100%), tenderness (59.5%), and rebound tenderness (27.4%). The left abdomen was the most common localization of pain (53%). The most frequently identified differential diagnoses were acute appendicitis (26.4%) and acute diverticulitis (16.1%). Most patients (53%) were treated conservatively, and 98 (26.4%) underwent surgical treatment. A significant difference in the choice of treatment was found for signs and symptoms such as rebound tenderness, nausea, anorexia, and diarrhea.Conclusions: Acute EA is an essential clinical condition of rare occurrence that might present a diagnostic challenge, as it can masquerade as another acute abdominal pain etiology. The optimal management of EA is conservative, so a higher recognition by surgeons and emergency physicians is essential to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions and their associated consequences.

Fibroid Degeneration During Pregnancy Presenting as Appendicitis

Uterine fibroid degeneration is a rare cause of abdominal pain during pregnancy. It can cause complications during pregnancy, including placental abruption, fetal growth restriction, and preterm delivery. Myxoid degeneration is an unusual form of fibroid degeneration. We present a case of a 38-year-old female, G1P0, who presented at 13 weeks gestation to the emergency department at the request of her obstetrician due to abdominal pain with concern about appendicitis. A diagnosis of myxoid degeneration was made. The patient was treated with analgesics and discharged to continue her management in the outpatient setting.

A Splenic Rupture Following a Singleton Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery: The First-Known Case Report in Saudi Arabia

A spontaneous rupture of the spleen during pregnancy or post-delivery is an exceptionally rare but potentially fatal maternal complication that poses a significant challenge in diagnosis and management. Herewith, we present a case of a 31-year-old female patient who experienced a spontaneous splenic rupture following a singleton vaginal delivery. Despite lacking any history of trauma or a predisposing factor, she developed symptoms of dizziness and postpartum abdominal pain, progressing rapidly to unconsciousness. Urgent abdominal ultrasound revealed significant intraperitoneal bleeding with a large peri-splenic hematoma, necessitating emergency exploratory laparotomy. Histopathological examination of a frozen section ruled out malignancy, and thus, a complete splenectomy was done, which confirmed the diagnosis of spontaneous splenic rupture. This case emphasizes the importance of close monitoring of all postpartum women, even those with low-risk pregnancies, for the early detection of any complication. Healthcare providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for rare but potentially life-threatening events to ensure timely intervention and optimal outcomes.

Emergency laparoscopy in underserved settings: optimizing diagnosis and management of appendicitis with ruptured hemorrhagic ovarian cyst

Introduction and importance

Laparoscopy is an established widely available technique for diagnosis and management. However, due to its high maintenance and expensive use, it is not readily available in emergency settings especially in underserved area hospitals. The coincidence of gynecologic and nongynecologic surgical emergencies incurs a diagnostic dilemma especially in women of reproductive age presenting with acute abdominal pain.

Case presentation

This article is a case report about a woman presenting with acute abdominal pain in an underserved area and diagnosed as appendicitis.

Clinical discussion

Emergency laparoscopy is so rare in underserved areas due to its high maintenance costs as well as the lack of availability of well-trained surgeons and personnel. The exceptional availability of emergency laparoscopy in her case has allowed the codiagnosis of a ruptured hemorrhagic ovarian cyst with the optimal surgical management preventing the complications that could have occurred from misdiagnosing the coincident ruptured hemorrhagic cyst.

Conclusion

Emergency laparoscopy is not always available in such clinical settings and has, in our case, optimized the management and prevented an undiagnosed ruptured hemorrhagic cyst together with its complications.

Level of Knowledge and Attitude Toward Acute Abdomen Among the Public: A Nationwide Study

Introduction Treatment of patients suffering from acute abdominal pain (AAP) is often challenging due to its wide range of associated illnesses, which could delay or prevent the identification of the correct diagnosis. Multiple diagnoses should be considered, particularly those in life-threatening situations needing urgent intervention. Aim This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge among the general population related to acute abdomen and which specialty should be sought for consultation in AAP situations. Subject and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population living in Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to the Saudi population through the Google survey. The questionnaire included basic demographic characteristics (i.e., age, gender, etc.), perceived causes, barriers, the most common symptoms of AAP, and a five-item questionnaire to assess the general population's knowledge about AAP. Results Of the 2,703 respondents, 68.1% were females, and 42.4% were aged between 18 and 25 years old. The digestive system disorders (esophagus, stomach, intestine, and colon) were the most perceived causes that led to AAP (76.6%). The overall mean knowledge score was 1.35 (SD 1.07) out of five points. Accordingly, nearly all (87.2%) were considered to have poor knowledge, 9.5% were considered to have moderate knowledge, and only 3.3% were considered to have good knowledge. Being younger, being a male, and living in the Central Region were the factors associated with increased knowledge. Conclusion There was a lack of knowledge about AAP among the general population in Saudi Arabia. Younger age, gender males, and living in the Central Region were identified as the significant factors of increased knowledge. It is necessary to increase the knowledge of the population regarding acute abdomen. Media awareness campaigns may play a significant role in providing the necessary information to the general public.

A Case Report on Fibromuscular Dysplasia With Extrarenal Involvement

Fibromuscular dysplasia is a vascular disorder characterized by nonatherosclerotic, noninflammatory arterial abnormalities, primarily affecting renal arteries. While extrarenal involvement is rare, it poses diagnostic challenges due to diverse clinical presentations. We present the case of a middle-aged female who presented with sudden-onset severe abdominal pain and hypertension. Physical examination revealed tenderness, guarding, and hypertensive urgency. Diagnostic workup, including laboratory investigations and computed tomography, identified multifocal arterial stenosis in both renal and mesenteric arteries, consistent with fibromuscular dysplasia. A multidisciplinary team initiated antihypertensive medications and performed angioplasty to address vascular stenosis. The patient showed significant improvement post intervention, highlighting the efficacy of a comprehensive management strategy. This case underscores the clinical complexities of fibromuscular dysplasia, emphasizing the diagnostic challenges posed by extrarenal manifestations. The successful multidisciplinary intervention highlights the importance of timely and targeted measures in addressing both renal and extrarenal complications.

A rare case of isolated fallopian tubal torsion in adolescent girls: A case report and system review of literature

Isolated torsion of a fallopian tube in adolescent girls is a very rare acute abdomen. How to early diagnose and treatment isolated torsion of a fallopian tube has always been one of key points. We reported a rare case of isolated torsion of a fallopian tube in a 14-year-old girl and conducted a systematic review of the literature over the past 21 years. We collected data on clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment, prognosis and follow-up outcomes. According to our research strategies, 43 reported cases were included. The results (Mean ± SD) showed that the onset age was 14.09 ± 2.49, the cycle torsion was 2.79 ± 1.18, and the cyst size was 6.43 ± 2.25. The main clinical symptoms (percentage) are 100% lower abdominal pain, 67.44% nausea, 51.16% vomiting, and 50.00% right side lesions. And the accurate rate of preoperative diagnosis was only 27.91%, in which laparoscopic exploration, tubal necrosis, and tubal preservation accounted for 79.07%, 41.86%, and 32.56%, respectively. Extremely difficult diagnosis of isolated torsion of a fallopian tube, because of non-specific clinical manifestations, led to the adverse clinical outcome of salpingectomy. However, the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis can be improved by improving acknowledge of ultrasound diagnosis and the awareness of clinical gynecologists. However, the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis can be improved by improving knowledge of ultrasound diagnosis and awareness of clinical gynecologists. The laparoscopic exploration is sole gold standard for diagnosis and treatment. The operation of preserving the fallopian tube may be the first choice, especially in the early stage of isolated torsion of a fallopian tube.

Measuring person-centred pain management: Development of a questionnaire using the fundamentals of care framework

AIM

To develop and test a questionnaire using the Fundamentals of Care framework to measure person-centred pain management.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional exploratory descriptive design.

METHODS

Development in three phases: (a) literature search for questionnaires measuring person-centred pain management, (b) seven-step process developing items using thematic analysis, (c) initial feasibility and validity testing. Theoretical and empirical evidence was used, including the 'Strategic and Clinical Quality Indicators in Postoperative Pain management' questionnaire, the Fundamentals of Care framework and person-centredness principles. Theoretical experts (n = 2) reviewed the questionnaire, further evaluated by providers (n = 5) and patients (n = 5) using a think-aloud process, and by additional questions in the questionnaire answered by n = 100 patients. The questionnaire was tested February to March 2021, at four surgical wards in a university hospital.

RESULTS

The evaluation showed initial support for feasibility and validity, and the questionnaire was found to represent and be sensitive to capture the patients' experiences of person-centred pain management and being easy to answer. The 100 patients with acute abdominal pain who answered the questionnaire (aged 18-89 years, 46 women and 54 men), identified missing elements of fundamental care in their pain management, indicating that the questionnaire is sensitive to capture specific areas for improvement.

CONCLUSION

This first attempt at transforming the essential components of person-centred pain management into measurable items in a questionnaire was found promising. The questionnaire is suggested to be further tested for psychometric properties and patient benefit to provide clinical guidance in acute surgical care to meet the patient care need of pain management.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE

The developed questionnaire addresses the need of nurses and nursing leaders to evaluate the delivery of person-centred pain management in acute surgical care, to relieve the patient from pain.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Patients and providers were involved in testing the questionnaire.

Arteriovenous thrombosis, a complication of induction therapy with all-trans retinoic acid for acute promyelocytic leukemia: A case report

We report a case of arterial and venous thrombosis during induction therapy. This case emphasizes considering some degree of caution for thrombotic events in APL patients which was represented in our case as abdominal pain. Rapid initiation of anticoagulation and preventive measures is suggested for better management of the condition.

Massive Hiatal Hernia With Acute Gastric Volvulus Masked as a Suspected Food Poisoning: A Case Report

We describe the case of a 69-year-old female who thought she had "food poisoning", which prompted her visit to the Emergency Department for evaluation of her vomiting and abdominal discomfort. Contrasted computed tomography imaging with contrast of the abdomen subsequently revealed the diagnosis of gastric volvulus, and the patient was promptly taken for surgical intervention. Gastric volvulus is rare and presents with a nonspecific history, exam, and laboratory findings. In the acute care setting, it is important to maintain a high clinical suspicion for this diagnosis, as timely imaging and intervention are crucial to decreasing patient morbidity and mortality.

Spontaneous Renal Artery Thrombosis: An Unusual Cause of Acute Abdominal Pain in the Emergency Department

Abdominal pain is a frequent complaint in the Emergency Department and thrombosis of the renal artery is an uncommon diagnosis for abdominal pain. Although the diagnosis is rare and can be difficult to make, a delayed diagnosis can lead to grave complications. This is the case of a middle-aged man who presented in the Emergency Department with left iliac fossa pain; the clinical features were not specific, and he was diagnosed with a left renal infarction. With this case, we want to remind emergency practitioners of the diagnosis and show that even late (more than six hours) thrombolysis can improve kidney perfusion and function.

Large Ovarian Cystadenoma in an Adolescent Girl: A Case Report

Ovarian cystadenomas are rare neoplastic tumors arising from the ovarian surface epithelium. While commonly observed in adult women, their occurrence in adolescents is exceedingly uncommon. The management of large ovarian cystadenomas in this age group poses unique challenges due to acute presentations and potential complications. We present the case of a 16-year-old girl who presented with sudden, severe abdominal pain and distension. Imaging revealed a 15 cm complex cystic mass originating from the right ovary, consistent with a cystadenoma. Urgent surgical intervention led to the right salpingo-oophorectomy, confirming the benign nature of the tumor. This report highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and managing rare ovarian neoplasms in adolescents. Timely recognition, appropriate imaging, histopathological evaluation, and surgical intervention are crucial for optimal outcomes and reducing potential complications.

Primary Necrosis of the Ligamentum Teres Hepatis: A Rare Cause of Acute Abdominal Pain

Primary necrosis of the ligamentum teres hepatis (PNLTH) is an extremely rare disease which presents with acute abdominal pain. It has easily been misdiagnosed due to lack of clinical manifestations. Early recognition of PNLTH is crucial for treatment while CT is a good methed to diagnose and differential diagnose PNLTH. Teaching Point: Primary necrosis of the ligamentum teres hepatis (PNLTH) is an extremely rare disease characterized with acute abdominal pain, while computed tomography is the recommended technique to diagnose and differential diagnose this disease.

A brief review of diagnostic properties of point-of-care ultrasound for adult bowel intussusception: Making the case for ultrasound

Undifferentiated abdominal pain in adults is a common chief complaint in acute care clinics and emergency departments worldwide, representing up to 10% of visits to emergency departments. Many patients have a non-specific presentation and an initial workup with labwork, urine analysis or X-ray might not reveal a specific diagnosis. Although bowel intussusception is a primarily pediatric disease, adult intussusception is a recognized but rare cause of bowel obstruction often requiring surgical intervention. However, recent data from advanced multi-detector computed tomography imaging shows that milder or recurring cases in adults have been underrecognized. Multi-detector computed tomography is still the imaging gold standard for detecting intussusception in adults, but new data showed that sonographers with basic training using the point-of-care ultrasound approach have a reasonable accuracy in detecting this pathology. As the point-of-care ultrasound for undifferentiated abdominal pain is an emerging core skill in the acute care setting, knowledge of sonographic signs of intestinal intussusception should be included in the skill set of physicians. Sonographic findings in adults mimic pediatric cases, but different location patterns and higher malignancy rates exist in adults. In this manuscript, we will review the current literature on adult intussusception and summarize key knowledge of intestinal intussusception in adults. We will present four adult patients diagnosed with different types of adult acute bowel intussusception using the point-of-care ultrasound and describe a focused scanning approach with typical sonographic findings.

Case Report: A Child With Omental Infarction

BACKGROUND

Omental infarction (OI) is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain, which is benign and self-limited. It is diagnosed by imaging. The etiology of OI is either idiopathic or secondary and due to torsion, trauma, hypercoagulability, vasculitis, or pancreatitis.

CASE REPORT

Here, we present a case of OI in a child with acute severe right upper quadrant pain. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Correct diagnosis of OI via imaging can prevent unnecessary surgery.

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich Syndrome: A Rare Case Report

Müllerian anomalies are a complex spectrum of congenital defects of the female reproductive tract caused by an interruption in the normal development of Müllerian ducts and their associated structures. The clinical presentation of these anomalies varies and includes acute presentations. In this report, a case of a 16-year-old girl who attended the emergency department with severe colicky abdominal pain and nausea has been presented. The patient was on the fifth day of the menstrual cycle, and her pain was not completely relieved by the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The patient had menarche at the age of 14 years and used to have a regular menstrual cycle every 30 days. Her menstrual flow was average with a cycle duration of five days. An abdominal ultrasound examination was performed to rule out ovarian torsion, which demonstrated normal appearance and ovary size, and a large heterogeneous collection in the rectouterine pouch with unclear uterine morphology. Subsequently, magnetic resonance imaging revealed a duplication of the uterus, cervix, and vagina. The right hemivagina and right endometrial cavity were distended, consistent with hematometrocolpos. Right renal agenesis with compensatory hypertrophy of the left kidney was observed. The constellation of uterus didelphys obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis represented the diagnosis of Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome. Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome is a rare and complex type of congenital uterine abnormality. Although rare, this syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of severe dysmenorrhea in adolescent girls with renal anomalies. In this case, the patient underwent vaginoplasty with resection of the vaginal septum to relieve the obstruction. At follow-up visits, she did not have a recurrence of symptoms.

Wandering Spleen: A Rare Case From the Emergency Department

The spleen is typically located in the left upper quadrant and is held in position by the suspensory ligaments, which include the gastrosplenic ligament, the splenorenal ligament, and the phrenicocolic ligament. Abnormalities within these ligaments result in the mobility of the spleen, so it may be located in the pelvis or iliac region, which is termed a wandering spleen. We present a case of a middle-aged man who presented to the emergency department with generalized abdominal pain and diffuse guarding and tenderness. The patient had a previous history of peptic ulcer disease and multiple emergency department visits for gastritis. Given the assumed diagnosis of perforated viscus, the patient underwent a computed tomography scan that demonstrated the absence of the spleen in its usual location and showed an ectopic pelvic spleen. The patient underwent successful surgical treatment with splenopexy. The wandering spleen is a rare medical condition that presents a clinical diagnostic challenge and requires a high index of suspicion. Despite its rarity, the wandering spleen should be considered in patients with recurrent abdominal pain.

The value of clinical symptoms, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and ultrasonographic features in predicting adnexal torsion: A case-control study

AIM

Adnexal torsion remains a diagnostic challenge due to the nonspecific symptoms, sonographic features, and laboratory findings. The value of combining clinical, sonographic, and laboratory features is not well established, and controversy continues regarding their value in diagnosis. This study aimed to review sonographic, clinical, and laboratory features and to analyze their value separately and in combination, in managing and diagnosing adnexal torsions.

METHODS

The study included 278 women who underwent urgent laparoscopic surgery due to suspected adnexal torsion, according to clinical suspicion, with or without sonographic concordance. Laparoscopy findings confirmed the definitive diagnosis of torsion. Clinical laboratory and sonographic features were compared between those with and without adnexal torsion.

RESULTS

Adnexal torsion was confirmed in 110/278 (39.6%) women. In the torsion compared to nontorsion group, proportions were higher of women with acute abdominal pain in the preceding 24 h ([50] 45.5% vs. [35] 20.8%, p < 0.001), with vomiting ([45] 40.9% vs. [24] 14.3%, p < 0.001) and with suspected torsion by transvaginal sonography ([49] 44.5% vs. [23] 13.7%, p < 0.001). A high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (>3) was identified in 65 (59.1%) of the study group and 60 (35.7%) of the control group (p < 0.001). Combining the latter three findings, the predicted probability of torsion was 58%-85%, depending on the combinations.

CONCLUSIONS

A simple predictive model based on combinations of clinical, laboratory, and sonographic findings can contribute to preoperative diagnosis of adnexal torsion, with predicted probability of 85%. Our model may assist clinicians in evaluating women with suspected adnexal torsion, and improve preoperative diagnostic accuracy.

Acute abdominal pain: a challenging diagnosis

We hereby describe a case of an acutely ill 41-year-old male without any medical history who presented with an acute abdomen in the emergency department. An abdominal CT showed a dissection of the coeliac trunk and infarction of the spleen. Because of a presumed diagnosis of vasculitis he was started on high dose IV steroids. However, after additional testing the diagnosis of segmental arteriolar Mediolysis (SAM) was made. In this case report we describe the presentation, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of this patient and provide the readers with background about common differential diagnosis and criteria for diagnosing SAM.

Developing a Simple Score for Diagnosis of Acute Cholecystitis at the Emergency Department

We aim to develop a diagnostic score for acute cholecystitis that integrates symptoms, physical examinations, and laboratory data to help clinicians for timely detection and early treatment of this disease. We retrospectively collected data from our database from 2010 to 2020. Patients with acute abdominal pain who underwent an ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan at the emergency department (ED) were included. Cases were identified by pathological, CT, or ultrasound reports. Non-cases were those who did not fulfill any of these criteria. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of acute cholecystitis. The model included 244 patients suspected of acute cholecystitis. Eighty-six patients (35.2%) were acute cholecystitis confirmed cases. Five final predictors remained within the reduced logistic model: age < 60, nausea and/or vomiting, right upper quadrant pain, positive Murphy’s sign, and AST ≥ two times upper limit of normal. A practical score diagnostic performance was AuROC 0.74 (95% CI, 0.67−0.81). Patients were categorized with a high probability of acute cholecystitis at score points of 9−12 with a positive likelihood ratio of 3.79 (95% CI, 1.68−8.94). ED Chole Score from these five predictors may aid in diagnosing acute cholecystitis at ED. Patients with an ED Chole Score >8 should be further investigated.

A rare cause of acute abdominal pain: Actinomyces infection of colon mimicking a malignant neoplasm due to intrauterine device

Actinomycosis is a rare, chronic granulomatous disease that is challenging to diagnose because the clinical symptoms and signs are nonspecific. Usage of intrauterine device (IUD) or being immunocompromised is facilitating factors. Clinical and radiological findings can mimic malignant neoplasm, inflammatory bowel disorder, or acute diverticulitis. We report a case of actinomyces infection of the colon secondary to IUD, which is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain and can mimic a malignant neoplasm. We also provide a review of the literature. Unnecessary surgery can be avoided with the correct diagnosis of granulomatous infectious diseases that can be treated with antibiotics.

Laparoscopic Port Site Hernia: A Rare Etiology of Intestinal Obstruction

Small intestinal obstruction is a common indication for hospitalization and emergency surgeries. The most frequent etiologies are adhesions, hernia, and benign or malignant neoplasms. Abdominal imaging plays an important role in making the diagnosis and evaluating the complications of the obstruction. We report a case of a young woman who presented with sudden abdominal pain and vomiting. She had a relevant past medical history of sickle cell disease and multiple episodes of biliary colic for which she underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy two months before her current presentation. Laboratory findings indicated mild inflammation in the form of elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate with the leukocytes count in the upper normal limits. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated a knuckle of small bowel incarcerated in the port location of the previous laparoscopy. The bowel was reduced and the defect was repaired. The patient had complete resolution of her symptoms following the surgery. The case highlighted the importance of considering port-site hernia as an etiology of bowel obstruction in the relevant clinical settings since laparoscopic operations are being increasingly performed.

Cecal Lipoma: A Rare Etiology of Acute Appendicitis in Adults

Acute appendicitis is the most common indication for abdominal surgeries worldwide. Obstruction of the appendiceal orifice is thought to be the primary pathology of appendicitis. The obstruction leads to an increase in the intraluminal pressure resulting in ischemia and inflammatory process. Several pathologies could cause obstruction of the appendix lumen. These pathologies include hard fecal masses, stones, lymphoid hyperplasia, and neoplasia. We present the case of a 42-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with a complaint of abdominal pain and diarrhea for 3 days. The abdominal pain started in the periumbilical region and was shifted to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. The pain started gradually and had been progressing in severity. He described the pain as a stabbing in nature. Abdominal examination revealed a soft abdomen with diffuse tenderness. However, the tenderness was more pronounced in the right iliac fossa with a positive rebound sign. Further, the Rovsing sign was positive. Initial laboratory investigation revealed elevated leukocyte count and elevated inflammatory markers, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. The CT scan demonstrated well-defined homogenous fat density endoluminal lesion in the cecum with an average size of 6 cm with associated thickened wall appendix. The patient was prepared for an emergency laparoscopy for limited segmental rection of the cecum with appendectomy. Lipoma is a rare benign tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for benign and malignant neoplasms when they encounter patients with suspected acute appendicitis in the adult population.

Atypical Posterior Nutcracker Syndrome in a 17-Year-Old Male Without Hematuria

Retro-aortic left renal vein (RLRV) is an anatomical variation, where the left renal vein (LRV) courses posterior to the aorta and anterior to the vertebrae before it eventually drains into the inferior vena cava (IVC). RLRV is a rare finding, with a prevalence of around 1%-2%, and only a small minority of RLRVs cause symptoms. RLRV symptoms occur secondary to compression of the LRV between the abdominal aorta and vertebrae, otherwise known as posterior nutcracker syndrome (PNCS). The most common symptoms of PNCS are hematuria and flank pain. We present a 17-year-old male, who came in with recurring left flank pain without hematuria, initially thought to be renal colic secondary to nephrolithiasis. On further investigations, an aberrant posterior renal vein was seen on CT suggestive of PNCS. The patient was treated successfully with RLRV vascular stent placement by interventional radiology. This case report adds to the limited number of PNCS cases observed in children and to the even rarer cases of PNCS without hematuria. This case also acts as a reminder for pediatricians to keep a wide scope of differentials in patients presenting with flank pain and provides an outline of both diagnostic and treatment modalities available for these patients.

Successful Conservative Management of Uncomplicated Gallbladder Ascariasis

Ascariasis is one of the common diseases in human beings worldwide. Most cases are asymptomatic. However, the high parasitic load can present with organ-specific symptoms due to the migration of worms to various regions of the body such as the lungs, nasal cavity, oral cavity, and biliary system, and sometimes with surgical emergencies like intestinal and biliary tree obstruction. Treatment modalities depend on the presentation and the complication associated with it. Uncomplicated cases can be initially managed conservatively and followed up subsequently. However, most cases of biliary ascariasis may require surgical intervention or endoscopic management due to failed management or complications. We report a case of a young male with gallbladder ascariasis diagnosed with ultrasonography and successfully treated with a single dose of albendazole 400 mg. Follow-up ultrasonography was done to evaluate the management.

Acute Omental Infarction Mimicking Acute Appendicitis

Acute abdominal pain is a common cause of visits to the emergency department. Acute appendicitis remains the most common indication for abdominal surgical intervention in the pediatric age group. However, several conditions may present with a clinical picture similar to that of acute appendicitis. We report the case of a 7-year-old girl with a history of right lower quadrant abdominal pain of two days in duration. The pain was associated with vomiting and was exacerbated by movement. Abdominal examination revealed a localized tenderness in the right iliac fossa with guarding, giving the impression of acute appendicitis. After a thorough investigation, the patient was diagnosed as having acute omental infarction given the radiological findings seen in the computed tomography scan. The patient was successfully managed conservatively with analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Physicians should keep a high index of suspicion for this condition when encountering a patient presenting with an acute right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Imaging modalities play a pivotal role in making the diagnosis.

Clinical therapeutic effects of opioid analgesia for acute abdominal pain in children and young adults: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Nearly 10% of all patients who visit the emergency department report severe abdominal pain. Out of these, almost one-third are not diagnosed accurately. The conventional practice to care for such inpatients involves actively managed observation and repetitive clinical assessments at regular intervals. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical therapeutic effects of opioid analgesia in the treatment of severe abdominal pain in kids and adolescents.

METHODS

A comprehensive electronic search will be done on Web of Science, EMBASE, PubMed, WanFang database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Cochrane Library from their establishment to May 2021. The search will identify and retrieve all randomized controlled trials that describe the clinical therapeutic effects of opioid analgesia to treat severe abdominal pain in adolescents and children. Two independent authors will shortlist studies that meet the inclusion criteria, extract data from selected studies, and evaluate the risk associated with bias in the selected articles. We will use RevMan (v: 5.3) to conduct all the data synthesis.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis will conduct a high-quality synthesis on present evidence related to the usage of opioid analgesia to treat severe abdominal pain in both kids and adolescents.

CONCLUSION

Our findings will summarize the present evidence and help judge whether opioid analgesia is an effective and safe line of treatment for severe abdominal pain.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study will use pre-published data, and as such, it does not require ethics approval.

OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER

May 29, 2021.osf.io/fp9ym (https://osf.io/fp9ym/).

Optimization of a GF-AAS method for lead testing in blood and urine: A useful tool in acute abdominal pain management in emergency

Suspicion of lead poisoning is confirmed by its concentration in blood and protoporphyrin red blood cells. At low concentrations, lead influences the synthesis of the heme in the sense of lowering it. Acute and chronic lead intoxication is extremely polymorphic in regards to its clinical manifestations, with digestive, hematological, cardiovascular, renal hepatic and neurological features. The aim of the study was to evaluate the presence of lead in human whole blood and urine harvested before and during chelation treatment in the case of lead poisoning. An atomic absorption spectroscopic method for the analysis of lead was developed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (GF-AAS), Varian Spectra AA-880 with a hollow cathode lead lamp and a deuterium lamp for background correction, coupled to a GTA-100 atomizer and a programmable sample dispenser. Standard calibration solutions were used for the range 10-100 µg/l. The linearity range was 10.0 to 100.0 µg/l with the correlation coefficient of 0.999. We established that the method can be applied for the determination of lead in whole blood and urine, and the results obtained are useful for monitoring chelation therapy in cases of acute lead poisoning, a neglected cause of abdominal colic pain in an emergency situation.

A Diagnostic Score (DS) Is a Powerful Tool in Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis in Elderly Patients With Acute Abdominal Pain

BACKGROUND/AIM

Although acute appendicitis (AA) in elderly patients is different from AA in younger patients, the accuracy of diagnostic scores (DSs) in detecting AA is rarely considered.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cohort of 470 AAP (acute abdominal pain) patients older than 50 years, including 224 women (53.7%) and 193 men (46.3%), were included in the study. The most significant diagnostic predictors were used to construct DS formulas for AA diagnosis with (Tax+) and without body temperature (Tax-). Meta-analytical techniques were used to calculate the summary Se and Sp estimates for each data sets (history-taking, findings, and DS formulas).

RESULTS

In SROC analysis, the AUC values for i) symptoms ii) signs and tests iii) DS_Tax- and iv) DS_Tax+ were as follows: i) AUC=0.658 (95%CI=0.601-0.709); ii) AUC=0.751 (95%CI=0.701-0.800), iii) AUC=0.977 (95%CI=0.942-1.000), and for iv) AUC=0.980 (95%CI=0.956-1.000). Using roccomp analysis for these AUC values, the differences were significant as follows: between i) and ii) p=0.0358; between i) and iii) p<0.0001; between i) and iv) p<0.0001; between ii) and iii) p<0.0001; between ii) and iv) p<0.0001; and between iii) and iv) p=0.682.

CONCLUSION

Similar to younger AA patients, the DS formula was superior to both the clinical history-taking and findings, and therefore, the use of DS should be an important part of the diagnostic decision tree of AA also in the elderly patients presenting with AAP.

Primary omental torsion in a pediatric patient

Omental infarction although infrequent should be considered as a possible cause of acute abdomen precisely in those with negative appendectomy.

Observation of the Effectiveness of a Diagnostic Model for Acute Abdominal Pain Based on the Etiology Checklist and Process Thinking

Objective

The present study aimed to explore the effectiveness of the etiology checklist and process thinking in the differential diagnosis for acute abdominal pain.

Methods

A retrospective design was used to include 5,403 patients with acute abdominal pain in the Emergency Department of Hebei Provincial People's Hospital. The patients with acute abdominal pain between July and December 2017 in whom the etiology checklist and process thinking were not implemented were selected as the traditional group. Those with acute abdominal pain between July and December 2018 in whom the etiology checklist and process thinking were implemented were selected as the process thinking group. The clinical data, such as the emergency length of stay, hospitalization expenses, hospitalization length of stay, diagnostic accuracy, and outcome, were compared between the two groups.

Results

For patients at emergency level 2 and above, the average emergency length of stay was shorter in the process thinking group than in the traditional group, while the average emergency length of stay was longer for patients at emergency level 3. For hospitalized patients at emergency level 2 and above and patients at emergency level 3, those in the process thinking group had improved diagnostic accuracy, shorter average hospitalization length of stay, reduced average hospital expenses, and improved outcomes. In the comparison among six physicians, the results in the traditional group were inconsistent and statistically different in terms of the average emergency length of stay and diagnostic accuracy, while the results in the process thinking group tended to be consistent. The differences were not statistically different.

Conclusion

The diagnostic model for acute abdominal pain based on the etiology checklist and process thinking could improve the diagnostic accuracy and outcomes for patients with acute abdominal pain.

Epiploic Appendagitis and Omental Infarction as Rare Causes of Acute Abdominal Pain in Children

Omental infarction and epiploic appendagitis are rare causes of acute abdominal pain in the pediatric population. Radiological evaluation is necessary to establish a specific diagnosis and to differentiate appendicitis from these conditions as they can be often managed conservatively without surgical intervention.

Pediatric Acute Appendicitis Score in Children With Acute Abdominal Pain (AAP)

AIM

The aim of the study was to compare the accuracy of common clinical findings, laboratory tests and diagnostic score (DS) in diagnosis of clinically confirmed acute appendicitis (AA) in children.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cohort of 188 children under the age of 15 years presenting with acute abdominal pain (AAP) were included in the study. The clinical history (n=21), signs (n=14) and tests (n=3) were recorded in each child.

RESULTS

The significant independent diagnostic predictors (disclosed by multivariate logistic regression model) were used to construct the DS formulas for AA diagnosis. These formulas were tested at six different cut-off levels to establish the most optimal diagnostic performance for clinically confirmed AA. In the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) comparison test, there was a statistically significant difference (p=0.0055) in the area under curve (AUC) values between i) clinical history and symptoms (AUC=0.594), and ii) signs and laboratory tests (AUC=0.734), whereas both were significantly inferior (p=0.0001) to the AUC value of the DS (AUC=0.952).

CONCLUSION

In diagnosis of clinically confirmed AA in children, the DS formula is superior to both the clinical history/symptoms and signs/lab tests, justifying the use of DS as an integral part of the diagnostic algorithm of AA in all children presenting with AAP.

Acute abdominal pain in triage: A retrospective observational study of the Manchester triage system's validity

OBJECTIVE

Roughly 5% to 10% of patients admitted to the emergency department suffer from acute abdominal pain. Triage plays a key role in patient stratification, identifying patients who need prompt treatment versus those who can safely wait. In this regard, the aim of this study was to estimate the performance of the Manchester Triage System in classifying patients with acute abdominal pain.

METHODS

A total of 9,851 patients admitted at the Emergency Department of the Merano Hospital with acute abdominal pain were retrospectively enrolled between 1 January 2017 and 30 June 2019. The study was conducted and reported according to the STROBE statement. The sensitivity and specificity of the Manchester Triage System were estimated by verifying the triage classification received by the patients and their survival at seven days or the need for acute surgery within 72 h after emergency department access.

RESULTS

Among the patients with acute abdominal pain (median age 50 years), 0.4% died within seven days and 8.9% required surgery within 72 hours. The sensitivity was 44.7% (29.9-61.5), specificity was 95.4% (94.9-95.8), and negative predictive value was 99.7% (99.2-100) in relation to death at seven days.

CONCLUSIONS

The Manchester Triage System shows good specificity and negative predictive value. However, its sensitivity was low due to the amount of incorrect triage prediction in patients with high-priority codes (red/orange), suggesting overtriage in relation to seven-day mortality. This may be a protective measure for the patient. In contrast, the need for acute surgery within 72 h was affected by under-triage.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The triage nurse using Manchester Triage System can correctly prioritise the majority of patients with acute abdominal pain, especially in low acuity patients. The Manchester Triage System is safe and does not underestimate the severity of the patients.

Epiploic Appendagitis: A Commonly Overlooked Differential of Acute Abdominal Pain

Epiploic appendagitis is an unusual and very commonly overlooked source of acute abdominal pain. Its incidence is highest in middle-aged obese males. It presents clinically as a focal lower quadrant abdominal pain, usually in the absence of pyrexia, nausea, vomiting or change in bowel habit, and unremarkable laboratory markers. Due to its vague presentation, epiploic appendagitis may be mistaken for other more severe causes of acute abdominal pain like diverticulitis and appendicitis, thereby causing patients to undergo unwarranted management interventions and hospital stay. Epiploic appendagitis is usually diagnosed through imaging, most commonly computed tomography (CT). This condition is largely self-resolving and can be managed conservatively with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Operative intervention is usually employed when symptoms persist or when complications arise. We present a case of epiploic appendagitis in a patient who presented with right lower quadrant pain initially misdiagnosed as acute appendicitis.

Can Inflammatory Markers Foretell Aetiology and Prolonged Hospitalisation in Acute Pancreatitis?

Introduction

Acute pancreatitis (AP) causes a cascade of complex inflammatory responses following an initial insult. Hence, the scoring systems include white blood cell count (WBC) as a marker of severity of acute pancreatitis. C-reactive protein (CRP) was also shown to be useful in predicting the course of pancreatitis. This study analyses role of inflammatory markers in predicting gallstone aetiology of AP and length of hospital stay (LOS).

Materials and methods

A total of 143 patients with acute pancreatitis between October 2016 and 2017 were included in this study and relevant parameters were collected from the electronic patient database. The parameters were WBC, CRP, and LOS.

Results

Among 143 patients with AP, 50 patients had gallstone pancreatitis (GP) and remaining of 93 patients suffered nongallstone pancreatitis (NGP). The WBC count at admission, 24 hours and 72 hours in GP versus NGP were 11.6± 5 versus 13.7±17; P = 0.24; 12.6±20 versus 10.1±17; P = 0.21; and 13.2±22 versus 9.2±4.7; P = 0.15, respectively. Similarly, the serum CRP levels at admission, 24 hours and 72 hours were 30.4± 73 versus 47.6±79; P = 0.25; 71.9±20 versus 92.2±97; P = 0.35; and 89±106 versus 122.7±107; P = 0.05, respectively. More number of patients with elevated WBC in GP arm compared to NGP (12/50±7/93; P = 0.0008) was noted.

In GP arm, patients with elevated CRP at admission (10.5±8.67 versus 5.4±5.8 days; P = 0.02) and 24 hours (9.8±8.3 versus 4.2±4.7 days; P = 0.001) had long LOS. However, patients with elevated CRP at 72 hours (89±106 versus 122.7±107; P = 0.05) had longer LOS in NGP.

Conclusion

Significantly high CRP level at 72 hours was associated with NGP and longer length of hospital stay. In GP, patients with elevated CRP level at admission and 24 hours predicts long LOS.

Intra-Abdominal Testicular Torsion as a Cause of Acute Abdominal Pain in Patient with Silver-Russell Syndrome: First Case of Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgical Exploration with Orchidectomy

Introduction and Background: Silver-Russell syndrome is a rare genetic disorder, occurring in ∼1/50,000 to 1/100,000 births. Anomalies of the urogenital tract such as hypospadias and cryptorchidism can be present. Testicular torsion is a urologic emergency that is most common in prepubertal boys. In patients with cryptorchidism, it can present with abdominal pain and nonspecific symptoms and can mimic other intra-abdominal emergency conditions. Case presentation: A 21-year-old man presented in emergency room at our hospital with acute right lower abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasonography excluded acute appendicitis, atypical mass on the right side of the bladder was identified. Later, he reported history of inguinal exploration caused by undescended right testis in infancy where testis was not found, and Silver-Russell syndrome. Contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scan revealed an atypical mass on the right side of the bladder, suspicious for torsion of undescended testis, or tumor. Tumor markers for testicular cancer were negative. The patient underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic orchidectomy for torsion of undescended intra-abdominal testis. Histopathologic examination excluded malignancy. Conclusion: Testicular torsion should be considered as the cause of acute abdominal pain in patients with undescended testis and rare genetic disorders. Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgical exploration has the advantage of better exposure and visibility and should be considered in such cases.

Performance of a Diagnostic Score in Confirming Acute Cholecystitis Among Patients With Acute Abdominal Pain

BACKGROUND/AIM

Although acute cholecystitis (AC) is quite a frequent clinical cause of acute abdominal pain (AAP), the accuracy of a diagnostic score (DS) in confirming AC is rarely considered. The aim of the study was to conduct a detailed analysis comparing the accuracy of common clinical findings, laboratory tests and DS in AC diagnosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cohort of 1,333 patients presenting with AAP were included in the study. The clinical history and diagnostic symptoms (n= 21), signs (n=14) and laboratory tests (n=3) were recorded in each patient.

RESULTS

The significant independent diagnostic predictors (disclosed by multivariate logistic regression model) were used to construct the DS formulas for AC diagnosis. These formulas were tested at five different cut-off levels to establish the most optimal diagnostic performance for clinically confirmed AC. In the ROC comparison test, there was no statistically significant difference in the AUC values of i) clinical history and symptoms (AUC=0.542), and ii) signs & laboratory tests (AUC=0.580), whereas both were significantly inferior (p=0.0001) to the AUC value of the DS (AUC=0.962).

CONCLUSION

In the diagnosis of clinically confirmed AC, the DS formula is superior to clinical symptoms and signs, justifying the use of DS as an integral part of the diagnostic algorithm of AC in all patients presenting with AAP.

Gender-specific Performance of a Diagnostic Score in Acute Appendicitis

BACKGROUND/AIM

Although a negative appendectomy in female patients with acute abdominal pain (AAP) can be twice as frequent as in male patients, the accuracy of diagnostic scores (DSs) in acute appendicitis (AA) is rarely considered among patients with AAP. The aim was to study the gender-specific performance of a DS in AA.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

As an extension of the World Organisation of Gastro-Enterology Research Committee (OMGE) AAP study, 1,333 patients presenting with AAP were inclu ded in the study. The clinical history and diagnostic symptoms (n=22), signs (n=14) and laboratory tests (n=3) were recorded in each patient.

RESULTS

The most significant diagnostic predictors were used to construct DS formulas for AA diagnosis, separately for both genders. The formulas were tested at 6 different cut-off levels to find the best diagnostic performance for AA in females and males. The highest specificities of the DS_LC- [DS without leucocyte count (LC)] and DS_LC+ (DS with LC) scores in detecting AA were 98% (95% CI=97-99%) and 98% (95% CI=96-99%), respectively. In the ROC comparison test, there was no statistically significant difference in the performance of DS_LC- and DS_LC+ in female and male patients.

CONCLUSION

Our gender-specific DS reached very high AUC values for AA (0.948-0.956) in both genders, and there was no statistically significant difference in the AUC values of DS_LC- and DS_LC+ between women and men with AAP.

Epiploic Appendagitis Masquerading as Acute Appendicitis: A Report of Two Cases

Epiploic appendagitis (EA) is a rare clinical entity caused by an inflammatory/ischemic process involving the serosal outpouchings of the colon. Its clinical presentation of acute, localised, lower abdominal pain often mimics more common conditions like diverticulitis or appendicitis. The diagnosis of EA is challenging due to the lack of pathognomic clinical features. The definitive diagnosis primarily relies on cross-sectional imaging modalities like abdominal ultrasound or computed tomography (CT). Being a benign and self-limiting condition, it can be managed conservatively with analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs. We present two cases to highlight EA as an important differential diagnosis for cases of acute lower abdominal pain, crucial to prevent unnecessary antibiotic therapy and surgical interventions.

Optimization of pulse sequences in ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of acute abdominal pain caused by gastrointestinal disease

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used to diagnose acute abdominal pain; however, it remains unclear which pulse sequence has priority in acute abdominal pain.

Purpose

To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of MRI and to assess the conspicuity of each pulse sequence for the diagnosis of acute abdominal pain due to gastrointestinal diseases

Material and Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 60 patients with acute abdominal pain who underwent MRI for axial and coronal T2-weighted (T2W) imaging, fat-suppressed (FS)-T2W imaging, and true-fast imaging with steady-state precession (True-FISP) and axial T1-weighted (T1W) imaging and investigated the diagnosis with endoscopy, surgery, histopathology, computed tomography, and clinical follow-up as standard references. Two radiologists determined the diagnosis with MRI and rated scores of the respective sequences in assessing intraluminal, intramural, and extramural abnormality using a 5-point scale after one month. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated and scores were compared by Wilcoxon-signed rank test with Bonferroni correction.

Results

Diagnostic accuracy was 90.0% and 93.3% for readers 1 and 2, respectively. Regarding intraluminal abnormality, T2W, FS-T2W, and True-FISP imaging were superior to T1W imaging in both readers. FS-T2W imaging was superior to True-FISP in reader 2 (P < 0.0083). For intramural findings, there was no significant difference in reader 1, whereas T2W, FS-T2W, and True-FISP imaging were superior to T1W imaging in reader 2 (P < 0.0083). For extramural findings, FS-T2W imaging was superior to T2W, T1W, and True-FISP imaging in both readers (P < 0.0083).

Conclusion

T2W and FS-T2W imaging are pivotal pulse sequences and should be obtained before T1W and True-FISP imaging.

A systematic review

Endometriosis, defined as the presence of functional endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, presents mainly with pelvic pain and infertility. Acute abdominal pain in non-pregnant patients with endometriosis might be minimised as a typical feature of the disease, while endometriosis is rarely considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of the current literature of cases of acute abdomen/acute abdominal pain in non-pregnant endometriotic patients. We performed a PubMed/MEDLINE search of studies published from January 1990 to December 2018, selecting English language reports and series of non-pregnant patients with acute abdomen and histological confirmation of endometriosis. The studies were revised by two independent authors. Data were abstracted and compiled for analysis. Fifty articles reporting 62 patients were identified. The complications were classified according to anatomical sites in bowel, urinary tract, and genital organs emergencies. Rarely was the first diagnostic hypothesis endometriosis, misdiagnosis was frequent. The time frame from symptoms onset to management was often long. This is the first systematic review evaluating acute abdomen/acute abdominal pain in non-pregnant endometriotic patients. These conditions are rare but possibly life-threating and require prompt diagnosis and emergent medical or surgical treatment.

Foreign rectal body - Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Self-inserted foreign rectal bodies are an infrequent occurrence, however they present a serious dilemma to the surgeon, due to the variety of objects, and the difficulty of extraction. The purpose of this study is to give a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the epidemiology, diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches of foreign rectal body insertion.

METHODS

A comprehensive systematic literature review on Pubmed/ Medline and Google for 'foreign bodies' was performed on January 14th 2018. A meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the epidemiology, diagnostics and therapeutic techniques. 1,551 abstracts were identified, of which 54 articles were included.

RESULTS

The motivation of foreign rectal body insertion is mostly sexual stimulation. Patients are typically young and predominantly male, with a male to female ratio of 6:1. Sexual devices (35.7%, n=108) and glass objects (17.5%, n=53) are the most commonly self-inserted rectal foreign bodies. Patient history should be taken sensitively after diagnostic evaluation and identification of the object. Removal was performed under general anesthesia in 45.2% (n=95) and sedation in 29.0% (n=61). The total complication rate was described to be 30.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnostics must be performed with caution in order to rule out perforation and establish a treatment algorithm. Manual transanal extraction under sedation or general anesthesia may be performed in conjunction with cautious abdominal compression. Because of the variety of objects, i.e. in form and material, each case must be treated individually. Sometimes creativity and surgeon imagination may be required, although different algorithms have been established.

Left renal artery thrombosis in a 78-year-old patient with atrial fibrillation

Renal artery thrombosis is a rare clinical condition. Often, there is a delay in diagnosis due to non-specific clinical complaints. We presented a woman with an elderly atrial fibrillation who developed thrombosis of the left renal artery. Despite the anticoagulant treatment given, patient did not benefit and the kidney was fully damaged.

Significance of Intra-abdominal Free Fluid Detected in Ultrasonography in the Clinical Assessment and Outcomes of Adult Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department Due to Abdominal Pain

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic process and clinical course in adult patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) with acute abdominal pain (AAP) and were found to have intra-abdominal free fluid (FF) on ultrasonography (USG). Methods This prospective observational study was conducted in a training and research hospital adult emergency department between March 15, 2013, and April 15, 2013. The study included 252 patients aged above 18 years, who were admitted to the emergency room complaining of non-traumatic acute abdominal pain and provided consent for the study. Results The most common diagnoses were acute, nonspecific abdominal pain (37.3%), acute appendicitis (19%), and urinary tract pathology (15.9%). Intra-abdominal free fluid was detected with ultrasonography in 42.5% of patients. Patients with intra-abdominal free fluid were younger than the other patients. The emergency department length of stay was longer in patients with intra-abdominal free fluid (p=0.011). Of the 252 patients enrolled in the study, 32.9% were admitted to the hospital, 21.4% of whom underwent surgery and 11.5% received medical therapy. Most of the patients (64.5%) who were discharged home had no intra-abdominal free fluid in the ultrasonography (p<0.001). Conclusion The presence of intra-abdominal free fluid alone did not guide the clinical decision regarding the diagnostic evaluation of adult patients that presented to the emergency department complaining of non-traumatic acute abdominal pain.

A Fifteen-Year Analysis of Rare Isolated Fallopian Tube Torsions in Adolescent Children: A Case Series

Isolated tubal torsions presenting to the emergency department are a very rare cause of pediatric acute abdominal pain. Since making the diagnosis early is of importance in terms of affecting tubal damage and fertility, we aimed to evaluate cases of isolated tubal torsions in light of the literature. This study included 10 patients under 18 years of age who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain between January 2003 and December 2018. The mean age was 14.5 ± 1.43 years (range: 12-17 years). The demographic characteristics, surgical findings and techniques, and concomitant pathology results of these patients were retrospectively evaluated. The reason for presenting to the emergency department for the 10 patients included in the study was abdominal pain. The mean duration of hospital admission with pain was 4.97 days. The onset of pain was less than 24 h in seven patients (70%) and more than 24 h in three patients (30%). Of the patients, nine (90%) had tenderness in the lower abdominal quadrant, five (5%) had defense, and three (30%) had rebound. Nausea, vomiting and leukocytosis were present in 50% of the cases. Right and left tubal involvement of the cases was equal. Seven (70%) of the isolated tubal torsions were accompanied by paraovarian cysts. Eight patients (80%) underwent open surgery and two (20%) underwent laparoscopic intervention. Detorsion was performed on five (50%) patients and salpingectomy was performed on five (50%) patients. Isolated tubal torsion should be considered in children presenting with acute abdominal pain in early adolescence. Early diagnosis is important for the preservation of fertility.

Access delays to essential surgical care using the Three Delays Framework and Bellwether procedures at Timor Leste's national referral hospital

OBJECTIVES

Our objectives were to characterise the nature and extent of delay times to essential surgical care in a developing nation by measuring the actual stages of delay for patients receiving Bellwether procedures.

SETTING

The study was conducted at Timor Leste's national referral hospital in Dili, the country's capital.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients requiring a Bellwether procedure over a 2-month period were included in the study. Participants whose procedure was undertaken more than 24 hours from initial hospital presentation were excluded.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Data pertaining to the patient journey from onset of symptoms to emergency procedure was collected by interview of patients, their treating surgeons or anaesthetists and the medical records. Timelines were then calculated against the Three Delays Framework.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients were entered into the study. Their mean delay from symptom onset to entering the anaesthesia bay for a procedure was 32.3 hours (+/-11.6). The second delay (4.1+/-2.5 hours) was significantly less than the first (20.9+/-11.5 hours; p<0.005) and third delays (7.2+/-1.2 hours; p<0.05). Additionally, patients with acute abdominal pain (of which 18/20 ultimately had open appendicectomy and two emergency laparotomies) had a delay time of 53.3 hours (+/-21.3), significantly more than that for emergency caesarean (22.9+/-18.6 hours; p<0.05) or management of an open long-bone fracture (15.5+/-5.56 hours; p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial delays were observed for all three stages and each Bellwether procedure. This study methodology could be used to measure access and the three delays to emergency surgical care in low/middle-income countries, although the actual reasons for delay may vary between regions and countries and would require a qualitative study.

Primary epiploic appendagitis as an unusual cause of acute abdominal pain in a middle-aged male: A case report

RATIONALE

Primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) is a rare cause of acute abdomen caused by spontaneous torsion or venous thrombosis of epiploic appendices, it commonly manifests with acute lower quadrant pain, thus may mimic acute diverticulitis, appendicitis, or mesenteric infarction.

PATIENT CONCERNS

In this case report, we report a 44 years old man who presented with persistent sharp pain in the left lower quadrant abdomen, Laboratory tests were mostly normal, contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) revealed a slightly high density shadow with fat foci in the middle was presented around the local descending colon, accompanied by the adjacent peritoneal thickening.

DIAGNOSES

He was diagnosed with PEA as confirmed by an abdominal contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan.

INTERVENTIONS

He was followed up in the clinic without any dietary restrictions, antibiotic or analgesic drugs use.

OUTCOMES

The abdominal pain gradually subsided a week later, and there were no recurrence of the symptoms during follow-up.

LESSONS

In our case, the diagnosis of PEA using CECT allows the patient to avoid surgery and other invasive treatment.

Who is in charge of the care of patients with acute abdominal pain? An interview study with managers across the acute care chain

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

To describe managers' perspectives on the care of patients with acute abdominal pain and explore how they influence the care.

BACKGROUND

Patients with acute abdominal pain form a common group of patients who often report poor pain management. Managers are key actors in ensuring that patients receive high-quality care. This stresses the need to deepen the understanding of their perspectives on these patients, in order to provide high-quality fundamental care across the acute care chain.

DESIGN

Qualitative descriptive semi-structured interview study, with an inductive approach. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) was used.

METHODS

Individual interviews were conducted with managers (n = 17) from ambulance services, emergency departments and surgical departments at four hospitals in Sweden, representing managers at the micro- and macrolevels across the acute care chain.

RESULTS

The patient group was described as a challenging heterogeneous group, with a focus on medical care, shaped by clinical practice guidelines, for which others were responsible. Managers with a physician background expressed that nursing care was important for the outcome of the care, while managers with a nursing background focused solely on the medical care. Additionally, the managers described that they affected the care by providing resources and serving as role models.

CONCLUSIONS

The solely medical perspective is worrying. By being a stakeholder, the managers' responsibility should be to highlight the patient perspective in the care and promote and support all health professionals in redesigning the care, where achieving higher quality both in nursing and in medical care for patients with acute abdominal pain becomes a shared goal.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Managers should use their leadership to bridge the gap between medicine and nursing care by highlighting patients' need for fundamental care, and to support health professionals in providing evidence-based and high-quality care.

Clinical protocols for adults with acute abdominal pain in Australian emergency departments

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Patients with acute abdominal pain are a common presentation in hospital emergency departments; however, international studies have demonstrated that hospitals often lack clinical protocols to guide care. This study aimed to investigate whether Australian hospital emergency departments have acute abdominal pain clinical protocols, identify hospital-level predictors of the presence of these clinical protocols, and assess the quality of protocols.

METHODS

A survey was sent to all Australian hospitals with emergency departments, collecting data on hospital characteristics and the presence of acute abdominal pain clinical protocols. Participating hospitals (n = 73, 26% response rate) were also asked to provide a copy of these protocols. The quality of these protocols was assessed using Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch & Evaluation (AGREE) II.

RESULTS

Slightly more than half (n = 40) of the hospitals surveyed had acute abdominal pain clinical protocols, while 16 had a general pain protocol. In binomial logistic regression, two independent variables were related to the presence of a protocol, geographic region (P = 0.008) and advanced practice nurses/nurse practitioners' presence on staff (P = 0.024). The mean score for the overall quality assessment of these protocols was 4.2 on a seven-point Likert scale; in terms of the six domains of quality, "Clarity of presentation" and "Scope and purpose" were highest. The overall quality of clinical protocols increased with remoteness, χ² (3) = 8.341, P = 0.039, and was lower in hospitals with medical staff on site (U = 2.5, P = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

There is a documented standard for pain management of acute abdominal pain in about three quarters of participating Australian emergency departments. The use and quality of clinical protocols is influenced by the physical location of hospitals and staff and skill mix of clinicians.