Abdominal pain differential diagnosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2]Amandeep Singh M.D.[3]

Overview

Diagnosing the cause of abdominal pain can be difficult, because many diseases can cause this symptom. Most frequently the cause is benign and/or self-limiting, but more serious causes may require urgent intervention. Acute abdominal pain is a severe, persistent abdominal pain of sudden onset that is likely to require surgical intervention to treat its cause. The following table summarizes differential diagnosis for abdominal pain.

Differential diagnosis of abdominal pain

Classification of acute abdomen based on etiology Disease Clinical manifestations Diagnosis Comments Symptoms Signs Fever Rigors and chills Abdominal Pain Jaundice Hypo- tension Guarding Rebound Tenderness Bowel sounds Lab Findings Imaging Abdominal causes Inflammatory causes Pancreato-biliary disorders Acute suppurative cholangitis + + RUQ + + + + N Abnormal LFT WBC >10,000 Ultrasound shows biliary dilatation/stents/tumor Septic shock occurs with features of SIRS Acute cholangitis + − RUQ + − − − N Abnormal LFT Ultrasound shows biliary dilatation/stents/tumor Biliary drainage (ERCP) + IV antibiotics Acute cholecystitis + − RUQ + − − − Hypoactive Hyperbilirubinemia Leukocytosis Ultrasound shows gallstone and evidence of inflammation Murphy’s sign Acute pancreatitis + − Epigastric ± ± − − N Increased amylase / lipase Ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation Pain radiation to back Primary biliary cirrhosis − − RUQ/Epigastric + − − − N Increased AMA level, abnormal LFTs Primary sclerosing cholangitis + − RUQ + − − − N Increased liver enzymes Increased IgM, IgG4 Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (p-ANCA) Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) Anti-smooth muscle antibody (Anti-Sm) Anti-endothelial antibody Anti-cardiolipin antibody Cholelithiasis ± − RUQ/Epigastric ± − + + N to hyperactive for dislodged stone Leukocytosis Ultrasound shows gallstone Murphy’s sign Gastric causes Peptic ulcer disease ± − Diffuse − + in perforated + + N Ascitic fluid LDH > serum LDH Glucose < 50mg/dl Total protein > 1g/dl Air under diaphragm in upright CXR Upper GI endoscopy for diagnosis Gastritis ± − Epigastric Gastroesophageal reflux disease − − Epigastric − − − − Gastric outlet obstruction − − Epigastric − ± Hyperactive Gastrointestinal perforation + ± Diffuse ± + + ± WBC> 10,000 Air under diaphragm in upright CXR Intestinal causes Acute appendicitis + +in pyogenic appendicitis Starts in epigastrium, migrates to RLQ − + in perforated appendicitis + + Hypoactive Leukocytosis Ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation Nausea & vomiting, decreased appetite Acute diverticulitis + ± LLQ − − + − Hypoactive Leukocytosis CT scan and ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation Inflammatory bowel disease ± − Diffuse Irritable bowel syndrome ± − Diffuse − − − − N Tests done to exclude other diseases as it diagnosis of exclusion Tests done to exclude other diseases as it diagnosis of exclusion Symptomatic treatment High dietary fiber Osmotic laxatives Antispasmodic drugs Whipple's disease ± − Diffuse ± ± − − N Thrombocytopenia Hypoalbuminemia Small intestinal biopsy for Tropheryma whipplei *Endoscopy is used to confirm diagnosis. Images used to find complications Chest and joint x-ray CT MRI Echocardiography Extra intestinal findings: Uveitis Endocarditis Encephalitis Dementia Hepatosplenomegaly Arthritis Ascites Toxic megacolon + − Diffuse − + ± − Hypoactive Tropical sprue + − Diffuse Celiac disease − − Diffuse ±, also dermatitis herpetiformis − − − Hyperactive (increased sounds) IgA endomysial antibody IgA tissue transglutaminase antibody Anti-gliadin antibody Hepatic causes Viral hepatitis + − RUQ + − + Liver masses + + in Liver abscess RUQ ± + in sepsis Budd-Chiari syndrome ± − RUQ − Hemochromatosis − − RUQ Dull / aching + in cirrhotic patients may be in cardicmyopathy − − >60% TS >240 μg/L SF Raised LFT Hyperglycemia Ultrasound shows evidence of cirrhosis Extra intestinal findings: hyperpigmentation Diabetes mellitus Arthralgia Impotence in males Cardiomyopathy Atherosclerosis Hypopituitarism Hypothyroidism Extrahepatic cancer Prone to specific infections Cirrhosis + − RUQ + − Peritoneal causes Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis + − Diffuse + in cirrhotic patients ± − − Hypoactive Ascitic fluid PMN>250 cells/mm³ Culture: Positive for single organism Ultrasound for evaluation of liver cirrhosis Hollow Viscous Obstruction Small intestine obstruction − − Diffuse − − + ± Hyperactive then absent Leukocytosis Abdominal X ray Nausea & vomiting associated with constipation, abdominal distention Volvulus − − Diffuse − − + − Hypoactive Leukocytosis CT scan and abdominal X ray Nausea & vomiting associated with constipation, abdominal distention Biliary colic − − RUQ + − − − N Increased bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase Ultrasound Nausea & vomiting Renal colic − − Flank pain − − − − N Hematuria CT scan and ultrasound Colicky abdominal pain associated with nausea & vomiting Vascular Disorders Ischemic causes Mesenteric ischemia ± − Periumbilical − ± − − Hyperactive Leukocytosis and lactic acidosis CT scan Nausea & vomiting, normal physical examination Acute ischemic colitis ± ± Diffuse − + + Hyperactive then absent Leukocytosis CT scan Nausea & vomiting Hemorrhagic causes Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm − − Diffuse − + − − N Normal CT scan Unstable hemodynamics Intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal hemorrhage − − Diffuse − + − − N Anemia CT scan History of trauma Gynaecological Causes Tubal causes Torsion of the cyst − − RLQ / LLQ − ± ± N Increased ESR and CRP Ultrasound Sudden onset sever pain with nausea and vomiting Acute salpingitis + ± RLQ / LLQ − − ± ± N Leukocytosis Pelvic ultrasound Vaginal discharge Cyst rupture − − RLQ / LLQ − + ± ± N Increased ESR and CRP Ultrasound Sudden onset sever pain with nausea and vomiting Pregnancy Ruptured ectopic pregnancy − − RLQ / LLQ − + − − N Positive pregnancy test Ultrasound History of missed period and vaginal bleeding Extra-abdominal causes Pulmonary disorders Pleural empyema + ± RUQ/Epigastric − − − − N Cardiovascular disorders Myocardial Infarction − − Epigastric − + in cardiogenic shock − − N

The following is a list of diseases that present with acute onset severe lower abdominal pain:

Disease	Findings
Ectopic pregnancy	History of missed menses, positive pregnancy test, ultrasound reveals an empty uterus and may show a mass in the fallopian tubes.
Appendicitis	Pain localized to the right iliac fossa, vomiting, abdominal ultrasound sensitivity for diagnosis of acute appendicitis is 75% to 90%.
Rupturedovarian cyst	Usually spontaneous, can follow history of trauma, mild chronic lower abdominal discomfort may suddenly intensify, ultrasound is diagnostic.
Ovarian cyst torsion	Presents with acute severe unilateral lower quadrant abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, tender adnexal mass palpated in 90%, ultrasound is diagnostic.
Hemorrhagic ovarian cyst	Presents with localized abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Hypovolemic shock may be present, abdominal tenderness and guarding are physical exam findings, ultrasound is diagnostic.
Endometriosis	Presents with cyclic pain that is exacerbated by onset of menses, dyspareunia. laparoscopic exploration is diagnostic.
Acute cystitis	Presents with features of increased urinary frequency, urgency, dysuria, and suprapubic pain.

References

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