Acute disorders of the abdomen : diagnosis and treatment

The acute abdomen often perplexes the expert as well as the young physician. There are few areas in medicine in which Hippocrates' aphorism-the art is long, life is short, decision difficult, and delay perilous-is more applicable than here. Too often the harried physician fails to listen to the patient who is trying desperately to suggest the diagnosis. The significance of various types and location of pain often are neglected by the doctor. Physical findings are influenced by experience; the presence or absence of tenderness or a mass may be answered in entirely different ways by various observers. Because solid facts frequently are lacking, attempts to resolve diagnostic dilemmas by computer analysis or by algorithms are not likely to be successful. Fortunately, in the great majority of cases, unusual and difficult diagnostic procedures are not necessary for the identification of the acute abdomen and of the major disease. Astute clinical judgment must be based primarily upon careful attention to the pa­ tient's words and detailed observation. Front Matter....Pages I-XIX Front Matter....Pages 1-1 General Considerations....Pages 3-8 Neuroanatomic Considerations....Pages 9-15 Medical History....Pages 17-22 Physical Examination....Pages 23-29 Imaging Procedures....Pages 31-43 Laboratory Investigations....Pages 45-48 Front Matter....Pages 49-49 Acute Peritonitis....Pages 51-57 Acute Appendicitis....Pages 59-68 Acute Cholecystitis....Pages 69-77 Perforated Gastroduodenal Ulcers....Pages 79-86 Barogenic Rupture of the Esophagus (Boerhaave’s Syndrome)....Pages 87-95 Acute Pancreatitis....Pages 97-106 Acute Sigmoid Diverticulitis....Pages 107-114 Intestinal Obstructions....Pages 115-128 Strangulated Hernia....Pages 129-133 Acute Salpingitis (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)....Pages 135-141 Ruptured Abdominal Aneurysm....Pages 143-149 Ectopic Pregnancy....Pages 151-158 Intraperitoneal Bleeding from Uncommon Causes....Pages 159-162 Torsion of Pelvic Organs and Their Tumors....Pages 163-165 Front Matter....Pages 49-49 Torsion of the Testicle....Pages 167-170 Ureteral Colic....Pages 171-176 Nonspecific Infections of the Kidney....Pages 177-181 Medical Causes....Pages 183-194 Back Matter....Pages 195-200